Cricketer Manoj Tiwary’s serious allegations against Mamata’s TMC – Firstpost

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has made serious allegations against Trinamool Congress (TMC), saying he was asked to pay Rs 5 crore for an MLA ticket but refused. This comes a day after the West Bengal Assembly election results, where the TMC lost power after 15 years, paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to form its first government in the state.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Tiwary said his journey with the party is now over. He claimed that he was denied a ticket from Shibpur in Howrah because he did not agree to pay the money to TMC. The 40-year-old is one of the most successful cricketers from Bengal, with more than 10,000 runs in first-class cricket. He also served as Minister of State for Sports in the government led by Mamata Banerjee.

“Look, I am not at all surprised by this debacle. This was bound to happen when an entire party has indulged in corrupt practices and there was no development in any sector. Only those who could pay hefty money could buy tickets. At least 70-72 candidates this time paid around Rs five crore to get a ticket. I was asked but I refused to pay. Just check how many of those who paid up have managed to win,” he said.

Tiwary also spoke about his entry into politics. He said he was not interested at first and had declined an offer to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, he later agreed to fight the 2021 Assembly elections after being requested by Mamata Banerjee. After winning the Shibpur seat, he was appointed MoS Youth and Sports Affairs.

“At that time, I had played for Punjab Kings in the IPL and was still playing Ranji Trophy seriously when Didi (Mamata) wanted me to contest Lok Sabha. I had politely declined but before the 2021 elections, Didi once again called and told me ‘Manoj, I have a message for you and Aroop will tell you’. I was asked to contest from Shibpur and I thought that I could make a meaningful change,” Tiwary said.

Tiwary claims Mamata never cared for development

Tiwary claimed that he even spent money from his own pocket for development work in his constituency as an MLA. He alleged that basic issues like drainage and sewage systems in Howrah were ignored by Mamata despite his efforts to bring to her notice. Tiwary also rejected allegations that he was involved in extortion from builders. He said he had earned enough from his cricket career.

“I have attended meetings where all TMC ministers were summoned. Now I was given a Lollypop called MoS which basically meant nothing. If I stood up and said ‘Didi I want to draw your attention to a certain problem’, she would just stop us midway and say ‘I don’t have time for you people’.” Tiwary said.

“Being a sitting MLA, I would run from pillar to post for drainage work in my constituency but people who controlled Howrah Municipality for years without allowing elections to happen, never cared.

“They would simply stall developmental work which is very basic. I can tell you that some of the work that I got done was not just from MLA fund but also I paid from my own pocket to complete projects. Every year Didi would announce a Master Plan for upgradation of underground drainage system but that was it, just lip service.”

“Let me tell you that when I filed my income affidavit before the 2021 elections, I had declared that I had Rs 20 crore in cash. I have played IPL for 10 years, first-class cricket for 20 years, was part of Indian squads for good number of years. I don’t need extortion money. There were 7-8 local councillors who would regularly write to Didi. False allegations were levelled against me,” Tiwary added.

He further criticised state sports minister Aroop Biswas, accusing him of not allowing him to work properly. Tiwary claimed he was often ignored at official events and not given importance despite being a sportsman.

“Aroop Da doesn’t know A,B, C, D of any sport. There would be functions where both Aroop da and I would be invited and I would not be called on the dais. There was one Durand Cup unveiling where my pictures were flashed in sports pages and from next Durand Cup, I wouldn’t get any invite,” Tiwary alleged.

Tiwary said he now wants to focus on cricket again. He has applied for the head coach position of the Bengal Ranji team after clearing his BCCI Level 2 coaching exam with distinction.

“The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had invited applications for head coach’s post. I have passed my BCCI Level 2 exam with ‘distinction’ and want to pursue serious coaching in near future,” he concluded.

(With agency inputs)