Gangtok: Bhaichung Bhutia, the Indian football icon, announced on Tuesday his decision to quit electoral politics.
In a press statement, Bhutia expressed, “After the 2024 election results I have had the realisation that electoral politics is simply not for me. I am therefore quitting all forms of electoral politics with immediate effect”.
Earlier this year, the former Hamro Sikkim Party president merged his party with the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and contested from Barfung on an SDF ticket. He lost by a margin of 4,346 votes, securing only 4,012 votes against political novice Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party, who received 8,358 votes.
Reflecting on his political journey, Bhutia lamented, “My only regret is that I felt I had great ideas with regard to development of sports and tourism which given a chance, I would have loved to implement and thus contribute to the growth of the state in a very honest and sincere way. Unfortunately it was not to be. I am certain there will be more people with better ideas to do so”.
Bhutia also congratulated the SKM party and Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay for their victory in the 2024 Sikkim Assembly Election. “The people of Sikkim have given them a resounding mandate and I hope the SKM govt will work to fulfill their promises and take Sikkim to greater heights across all sectors,” he said.
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Quoting Lord Buddha, Bhutia stated, “One’s intentions must be good”. Bhutia stated, “I can only say with utmost honesty and humility that my intention in politics was to do good, for the people of both state and country”.
Bhutia thanked his supporters and expressed sorrow if he hurt anyone knowingly or unknowingly. “As we say in football, please take it in the spirit of the game. I now wish to devote more time to introspect, work towards my other goals and discover my purpose anew,” said Bhaichung.
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