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Sportsmen seem to be the most sought after profile this season as political parties are running behind them for 2014 elections. While Sourav Ganguly has got an offer from BJP, another sports icon Baichung Bhutia— former captain of national football team— may soon be seen fielding for the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC). Bhutia, the torchbearer of the sport in India, is closely guarding the secret but talks to Digbijay Mishra about the need of sportsmen joining politics and his strong equation with TMC chief Banerjee. Edited excerpts:
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Are you contesting the 2014 elections for TMC?All I can say is that I have got a very strong rapport with the party and I respect that. Mamata Banerjee is one of the cleanest politicians in the country at this moment. I cannot divulge anything more at this point.
When do you think, you will be in a position to take a final call?
I cannot comment on that. Again I have to say that TMC has been very supportive to me through out and we enjoy a very cordial relation. Mamata Banerjee has been the right ambassador for the state and she has been doing her job very well.
Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and now your name is in the news for the next Lok Sabha elections. Why are sportsmen in demand?
I think, we need more sportsmen to join politics as most of our politicians are being perceived in very poor light. So much of corruption is going on and most of the politicians are not being seen in very positive lights. So, if sportsmen are being inducted in poll plans then it's good.
So do we see contesting you next year?
We have seen the state doing well under Mamata Banerjee and she has been a phenomenon.
We have seen AAP doing so well in Delhi. So new people are doing a lot of good job.
