Politics a never ending challenge: Bhaichung

EOI, Siliguri, 24 July 2014: According to ace footballer and former national team captain Bhaichung Bhutia, a football match in the first half and politics in the latter stage are both thrilling and challenging, giving a glimpse of his gradual maturing as a politician.

Bhutia, as we all know, ventured, or was rather drawn, into politics by the Trinamool Congress as a candidate in this year’s general election. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee chose him as her party’s MP candidate from Darjeeling constituency. Although he faced defeat by a huge margin to BJP veteran SS Ahluwalia, Bhutia was appointed as the TMC executive president of Darjeeling district by Banerjee reiterating her full confidence in him.

Speaking in an exclusive, the former footballer displayed his equanimity, perhaps learnt from his vast experience as a top player, and said “Victory and defeat must be taken in the same spirit. My prime focus as a party worker will be to work towards a comprehensive development of the region and win the people’s confidence, but for this peace is a vital prerequisite. Further, I have learnt everything is possible in politics and I appeal to everyone to maintain cordial relations.

Commenting on his party’s prospects in the 2016 state Assembly election, Bhutia said the TMC earnestly desires to ensure good governance irrespective of political colour, implying he is confident of the party sweeping the polls.