Sikkim: Is Bhaichung Bhutia Joining Congress?
First Published: 26th March, 2025 8:58 IST
Bhaichung Bhutia was seen alongside Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka and Gopal Gurung, President of the Congress Party (Sikkim)
Is football legend-turned-politician from Sikkim Bhaichung Bhutia making a comeback just 9 months after quitting politics? Has he found a new home in the Congress party, or was his recent meeting with Congress leaders merely a casual interaction?
After stepping away from electoral politics in June 2024 following his 6th defeat in a decade, Bhutia appears to be now reconsidering his decision.
Bhutia was seen alongside Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka and Gopal Chettri, President of the Congress Party (Sikkim), during the laters’ recent visit to the state triggering speculations that the former Indian football captain may be planning a fresh innings in politics this time with the Congress party.
After retiring from football, he took the plunge into politics in 2014 by joining the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) and contested the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling, but lost. He then contested the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections from the Siliguri seat on a TMC ticket but lost again.
Shifting his focus to Sikkim, Bhutia formed his own party, Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP), and contested the 2019 Sikkim Assembly elections, where he lost from both the Gangtok and Tumen-Lingi seats. He also lost the Gangtok bypoll in the same year. Hoping for a stronger footing, he merged HSP with the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in 2023 and contested the 2024 Assembly elections from Burfang, only to suffer yet another defeat his 6th in a decade.
Bhutia announced his exit from electoral politics last year, stating that while the game of football had brought him immense success, politics had not been as kind. He admitted that electoral politics did not suit him but expressed regret over not being able to implement his vision for sports and tourism development in Sikkim.
However, his latest appearance with Congress leaders has raised fresh questions. Is Bhutia testing the waters for a comeback? Is Congress looking to strengthen its base in Sikkim with his support? Or was this just a friendly meeting with no political intentions?
Northeast Live tried to reach out to Bhutia for his comments, but he remained unavailable.
Also Read: Fake voters allegations: Sikkim CM PS Tamang calls Bhaichung Bhutia “loser”
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