'₹5 Crore Demanded for Candidature, TMC Chapter Has Ended,’ Says Cricketer Manoj Tiwari

Kolkata: Declaring that the “Trinamool Congress chapter has come to an end,” TMC MLA and former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has levelled serious allegations against his own party, claiming corruption and a pay-to-play system in candidate selection.

Tiwary alleged that he was asked to pay ₹5 crore for a party ticket in the recent Assembly elections. After he refused, he was denied renomination from the Shibpur constituency in Howrah. He further stated that the party’s defeat and the end of Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule were inevitable outcomes of widespread corruption and lack of development.

According to Tiwary, only those who could afford massive payments were granted tickets, claiming that at least 70–72 candidates paid around ₹5 crore each this time. “Check how many among those who paid actually won,” he remarked, asserting that the party’s decline was self-inflicted.

Reflecting on his political journey, Tiwary said he had initially declined a Lok Sabha ticket offer from the TMC in 2019 as he was focused on his cricket career, including the IPL and the Ranji Trophy. However, ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, he accepted Banerjee’s renewed offer to contest.

Tiwary also alleged that he had to spend money from his own pocket for development works in his constituency due to lack of institutional support. Despite being an MLA, he claimed he had to personally follow up with government offices for basic infrastructure projects like drainage systems in Howrah, many of which faced delays or obstruction.

He further accused the state government of sidelining him during his tenure as Minister of State for Sports, alleging that he was given the title without real authority. Raising concerns about internal functioning, he claimed that they often dismissed his attempts to highlight issues, telling him they had no time to address them.

Tiwary also directed criticism at Aroop Biswas, accusing him of neglect and incompetence, and alleging that he was prevented from effectively carrying out his ministerial responsibilities.

The explosive remarks have added to the political churn in West Bengal following the election results, raising fresh questions about internal dissent and governance within the Trinamool Congress.