For Baichung Bhutia, walking the dirty narrow lanes of ward no. 7 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation is a world apart from his millionaire lifestyle and celebrity status.
Mr. Bhutia, 39, a Trinamool Congress candidate, considered one of India’s greatest footballers, is facing a stiff competition in the political arena, unlike any challenge he might have faced in a football field. “Unlike football, the chances of success in an election are not in your hands. It does not depend on how strong or weak your opponent is. It depends on the people,” Mr. Bhutia, contesting his second elections in two years, told The Hindu .
In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he lost to Surinder Singh Ahluwalia of the BJP in Darjeeling. Now, he is up against CPI(M) leader Asok Bhattacharya in Siliguri.
Making his way through Khalpara, a red-light area of Siliguri, Mr. Bhutia says he is in a better situation than in 2014. “This time, I am in charge of my campaign,” he says.
A girl with a bouquet approaches Mr. Bhutia and tells him in English that she is his fan. Given his celebrity status, he has to oblige youngsters with autographs and selfies. Asked if they approached him as a footballer or a Trinamool candidate, Mr. Bhutia says: “I think for both.” Many of those who stop, cheer and wave at the former Indian captain are youngsters who grew up on his legend, some not even in voting age.
One of the richest Trinamool candidates with declared assets worth over Rs. 17 crore, Mr. Bhutia is focussing on the youth, on civic issues, sports infrastructure and development in the region as envisaged by his leader Mamata Banerjee. “I was always interested in politics, even when I was playing,” he said.
Mr. Bhutia admits to problems within the party, but says that being an outsider helps him get the support of all factions.
“There are 700 votes in this area, and traditionally, the people have not voted for the Left,” says Kamal Goyal, secretary of the local merchants’ association and Trinamool Congress leader, who accompanies Mr. Bhutia.
