Bhaichung Bhutia, better known as the former India football captain, is
set to join the Sikkim Democratic Front or SDF at Ravangla in Sikkim today. The
SDF is the former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s party.
Bhutia has often been slammed for jumping ship in political field. Moreover,
his part has been criticised by Sikkim’s ruling party Prem Singh Golay’s Sikkim
Krantikari Morcha.
Bhaichung Bhutia had levelled corruption charges against Pawan Chamling
and the then State Government. Regarding this, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha or SKM
chief advisor Chandraprakash Bhatta Rai said, “Now, he is joining it by
forgetting the ideals.”
Rai continued, “Earlier, he went to the Trinamool Congress. What has been
gained? Neither his politics nor his political party exists in Sikkim. He has
no influence. There is not one person with him. We respect Bhutia as a player,
but do not like Bhutia the politician.”
However, SDF vice-president DB Thapa has exuded positivity regarding
Bhutia’s move and said, “There have been discussions several times before. If
Bhaichung Bhutia joins, it will be good for the party. The power of the party
will increase. Bhaichung Bhutia is going to be the face of the party in the
future. Recently, we have worked together with people during the natural
calamities in North Sikkim.”
On the other hand, ruling party Trinamool Congress’ leadership refrained
from commenting anything openly about this.
Darjeeling District Trinamool Congress Chairman Alok Chakraborty said, “Everyone
has the right to join any party. Bhaichung’s political journey began with the
Trinamool Congress. Whichever party he goes to, he needs to concentrate.”
In 2016, Bhaichung suffered defeat while contesting the Siliguri Assembly
seat against then CPM strongman Ashok Bhattacharya for the ruling Trinamool
Congress. Later, TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
appointed Bhutia as the general secretary of the Yuva Trinamool Congress.
Bhutia distanced himself from Trinamool Congress after the defeat. After leaving
Trinamool Congress in 2019, he constituted a new political outfit Hamro Party.
A year later, as he could not make much progress, the top leaders of his
party resigned one by one and some joined the Pawan Chamling camp and some Prem
Singh Golay’s camp. Now, Bhutia himself is joining the SDF with his team.
Party sources stated Pawan Chamling will give a crucial post to Bhutia.
Besides, the former football player will be highlighted as one of the
faces of the party in the next election.
Currently, out of the 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim, 21 are held by Sikkim
Krantikari Morcha, 10 by BJP, and one by SDF.
NE Watch Desk
