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Mumbai, March 4: It was on the cards and it happened on the very day the Election Commission of India declared the dates for Assembly polls in five different states. West Bengal will go for a six-phase polls starting on April 4 and winding up on May 5 with some high-profile candidates like former India football captain Baichung Bhutia, former India all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla and former BCCI president Late Jagmohan Dalmiya’s daughter Baishali contesting polls on Trinamool Congress tickets.
Bhutia, who has been the torchbearer of Indian football for almost 22 years, was declared as a Trinamool candidate from West Bengal’s Siliguri constituency. The decision even took the footballer by surprise. “Even I was surprised with this announcement mainly because of this particular seat Siliguri…But as you know, being a footballer it all depends on the coach as to which position to play or what the strategy will be. So I will approach this too as a footballer and wait for the coach’s (read Mamata Banerjee) intsructions,” Bhutia told India.com in an exclusive chat soon after the announcement.
The Sikkimese sniper, as he is lovingly called seems to be getting ready for another innings after football and won’t like to do justice to the job in hand in politics. “As in football, when you get into the field the responsibility falls on your shoulder. It will be ditto here. Being a newcomer in this, I would listen to what the leaders say and the try to execute their plans,” Bhutia said without much ado. (Also Read: West Bengal Assembly Elections 2016: It’s Mamata Benerjee’s fight against Left Front-Congress combo)
Asked how it would be fighting from Siliguri ruled by Leftist leader Ashok Bhattacharya with whom he had shared a good rapport over the years, the agile striker hoped it will be as sporting as in sports. “In football also, you may have to play against a team which has many of your good friends, but that doesn’t affect your performance. I have done it for my entire career and it won’t be any different here too,” Bhutia stated.
The former India captain also his plans ready for Siliguri and will leave no stone unturned to contribute to the development of the constituency. “Siliguri is multi-community and multi-cultural place. People coming from different sections of the country and settle there, so I would try to understand their problems and come out with solutions,” the footballer added.
Bhutia, however, refused to divulge the essence of his discussion with the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee just ahead of the announcement. “Please understand that I would not like to share what the discussion was all about at this point in time, but whatever it is, it will be for the betterment of the People of Siliguri,” Bhutia rounded off.
By the way, TMC has also fielded few state luminaries like Bengali film actor Soham from Borjora in Bankura and footballer Syed Rahim Nabi from Pandua, among many others. The party has fielded 45 women and 57 minority candidates for the Assembly Elections 2016.
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