Trinamul leaders concerned on Bhaichung Bhutia candidature

Trinamul leaders are concerned that ex-footballer Bhaichung Bhutia hasn't yet started his campaign at a time doubts persist over his enrolment in the voters' list of Bengal.

He has been fielded by Trinamul in Siliguri to take on Asok Bhattacharya, the CPM leader and Siliguri mayor.

The Telegraph had reported on March 6 that the player's name was not included in the voters' list of Bengal and he continued to be the voter of Sikkim.

Subsequently, he got the name deleted from the Sikkim voters' list and sought the transfer of his "voter ID" to Kasba constituency in Calcutta..

Bhaichung, who spoke to the media today, iterated that the issue had been sorted out. "The issue has been sorted out," he said.

Asked in which Bengal Assembly segment his name had been included, he said: It is in Bengal and it has been sorted out, that is what I want to tell you."

Asked why he had not yet launched the campaign, the player said: "There is enough time and I don't want to start my campaign without proper preparation. Mamata Banerjee is coming here and she will hold a public meeting on March 14. I have decided to start my campaign after that meeting," Bhaichung said today. "I am in the process of preparing my team for the campaign. I believe it is necessary to have a proper team before we get into the field."

The soccer player's comment has prompted many Trinamul leaders to think that Bhaichung is not keen on campaigning.

"We don't find any logic behind his decision to sit and play slow. What he said today indicates that he has bought some more time of another four-five days. This is what is causing concern to us. Siliguri is a tough turf for us and we believe not a single day should be spent without campaign," said a Trinamul leader.(TT)