'Simply Not for Me': Bhaichung Bhutia Quits Politics After 6 Consecutive Defeats

Gangtok: Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia on Tuesday announced that he was quitting politics, following his defeat in recently held assembly elections in Sikkim.

Bhaichung, vice president of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), lost to SKM's Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia in Barfung seat, which marked his sixth electoral defeat.

He joined politics in 2014 when ruling TMC in West Bengal named him as its candidate for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat. In 2018, he took plunge into political arena of his state by forming Hamro Sikkim Party. Last year, he merged his party with Pawan Chamling-led SDF.

"Firstly, I would like to congratulate Mr PS Tamang and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) for winning assembly elections. people of Sikkim have given m a resounding mandate and I hope SKM govt will work to fulfil ir promises and take Sikkim to greater heights across all sectors," he said in a statement.

"After 2024 election results, I have h realisation that electoral politics is simply not for me. I am refore quitting all forms of electoral politics with immediate effect," he ded.

After losing Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency to BJP in 2014, TMC fielded Bhutia as its candidate for 2016 West Bengal assembly elections in Siliguri seat, but he lost to CPI(M). Following formation of his party in 2018, he contested 2019 Sikkim assembly elections from two seats but lost in both. He again unsuccessfully contested by-election to Gangtok assembly seat, which was held later that year.

He lost recently held elections to SKM by 4,346 votes.

Bhutia, former Indian football captain, said he felt he h great ideas for development of sports and tourism in Sikkim.

"...given a chance, I would have loved to implement and contribute to growth of state in a very honest and sincere way," he said.

"Unfortunately it was not to be. I am certain re will be more people with better ideas to do so," he said.

Bhutia said that his intention in politics was to do good for people of state and country.