Bhaichung Bhutia quits Trinamool Congress

Kolkata: Former Indian soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday announced that he has resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and was no more associated with any political party.

In a tweet, the country's soccer icon also said that he has quit all the official and political posts of the TMC, which he joined ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"As of today I have officially resigned from the membership and all the official and political posts of All India Trinamool Congress party. I am no longer a member of or associated with any political party in India," he said.

In 2014, Bhutia received party nomination for the Darjeeling seat, but lost. He failed in his second electoral contest too, losing from Siliguri in the 2016 Assembly election.

Bhutia, however, gave no reason for his decision to sever all ties with the Trinamool. Despite several attempts, he could not be contacted.

The TMC also refused to comment on Bhutia's resignation.

"I'm not saying anything on this," Trinamool Secretary General and West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee told IANS.

Bred in the sleepy Tinkitam village of mountainous Sikkim, Bhutia traversed many an uncharted territory in Indian soccer.

Adored as the "Sikkimese sniper" for his uncanny ability to score goals in his two decade old soccer career, Bhutia led the country's national team for 12 long years.

He had also turned out in the English professional league for Bury FC.