'I've The Peace Of Mind Away From Politics': Bhaichung Bhutia Rules Out Political Comeback

Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 17:52 IST

Bhaichung Bhutia rules out return to politics, says he values peace of mind, reflects on failed bids with AITC and HSP

It has been close to four years since Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia stepped away from politics. Reflecting on his journey, he believes his eight-year stint in the political arena was a significant learning curve. However, he now values the peace of mind he has found and has no desire to return.

Bhutia transitioned from sports to politics in 2014, driven by a deep desire to contribute to public service. He began his political journey in West Bengal by joining the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). Under the party’s banner, he contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling and the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections from Siliguri, but both campaigns ended in defeat.

Seeking a stronger connection with his roots, Bhutia shifted his focus to Sikkim. In 2018, he founded the Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) to offer a regional alternative centred on development and transparency. Despite his efforts, he faced further setbacks in the 2019 assembly elections in a landscape dominated by established parties.

In June 2024, Bhutia officially drew the curtains on his political career following the Sikkim Assembly elections.

Speaking at the News18 India Amrit Ratna Samman 2026, Bhutia expressed contentment with life away from politics.

“Politics is way tougher than football. I tried my hand at politics for 7-8 years, but I’ve been away from it for the last 3-4 years. And the kind of peace of mind I had in the past couple of years… I would say, I don’t want to get back to politics again," Bhutia said.

“I had a great experience in the political field. I got to learn a lot. But now that I’m completely away from it and working on several football-related avenues, I’m happy. Most importantly, I have the peace of mind," he added.

The former footballer also spoke about the Trinamool Congress’s historic defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, where the BJP secured a landslide victory with over 200 seats, ending the party’s 15-year rule. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also lost her stronghold seat.

Bhutia emphasized that the people’s mandate must be respected.

“In the end, it all depends on the people. Politics is largely related to the people. Whenever people ask me about the difference, I say that in football, your personal hard work leads you to success. But in politics, it’s always the people’s way, no matter how hard you work. So, we have witnessed a massive turnaround this year. It’s the people’s choice, and we must accept it," he concluded.

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Aakash Biswas

A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I...Read More

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