Gangtok, June 25: “Take it in the spirit of the game, said footballer Baichung Bhutia as he bid goodbye to electoral politics apologizing to anyone he may have hurt.

Sikkim Democratic Front leader and former Indian football captain, Bhaichung Bhutia, announced his resignation from all forms of electoral politics on Tuesday.

This decision follows with the results of the 2024 Sikkim Assembly Elections, in which the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party, led by P.S. Tamang, secured a decisive victory.

Bhutia, who joined politics in 2014 when the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal named him as its candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, faced his sixth electoral defeat at the hands of Riksal D Bhutia, the candidate from the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). This defeat appears to have been a decisive factor in his decision to step away from active politics.

In 2018, Bhutia ventured into Sikkim’s political arena by forming the Hamro Sikkim Party, which he later merged with the Pawan Chamling-led SDF last year. Despite his efforts to make a mark in politics, his repeated electoral setbacks have led him to step back from the political frontline

Bhutia congratulated Tamang and the SKM party and expressed hope that the new government will fulfil its promises and lead Sikkim to greater heights. Bhutia reflected on his journey, stating, “After the 2024 election results, I have had the realization that electoral politics is simply not for me.”

Bhutia, known for his passion for developing sports and tourism in Sikkim, expressed regret over not being able to implement his ideas. He remained optimistic that others with better ideas would contribute to the state’s growth.

Quoting Lord Buddha, Bhutia emphasized his good intentions in politics thanked his supporters, and apologized to anyone he may have unintentionally hurt. He concluded by saying he would now focus on introspection and other personal goals.

This announcement marks the end of a significant chapter in Bhutia’s post-football career, as he shifts his focus away from the political arena.

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