Bhutia gives Bengal proof

TT, Siliguri, March 27: Bhaichung Bhutia, the Trinamul candidate of Siliguri Assembly constituency, is a voter of the Kasba Assembly constituency on the southern fringes of Calcutta, his affidavit says.

In documents submitted to the SDO yesterday, the former soccer player and one-time Indian team captain mentioned that he is a resident of Rajadanga Road in Kasba, killing speculation that he was not a voter of Bengal, but Sikkim, which would have disqualified him as a contestant.

Some Trinamul leaders, however, said if Bhaichung had come clear on the matter earlier, the party's campaign in the crucial seat of Siliguri would not have suffered.

A district Trinamul leader said on condition of anonymity that party activists "have faced awkward situations during campaigns, particularly during door-to-door tours".

Bhaichung is contesting against Siliguri mayor Asok Bhattacharya in the most important seat of north Bengal.

The Telegraph had reported on March 6 that Bhaichung's name figured on the voters' list of Sikkim. Bhaichung has claimed since then that he is a voter from "somewhere in Calcutta" but gave no details even to party workers.

The Telegraph checked the voter list updated on January 1 and found that Bhaichung's name was not on the list. "It is evident he got his name enrolled after January 1," an administrative source said.