Manoj Tiwary and Ashok Dinda start their political sojourn before West Bengal elections

Manoj Tiwary, the veteran Bengal cricketer, has joined the All India Trinamool Congress ahead of the Elections for the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal in April and May. The 35-year-old right-handed batsman started his sojourn in the political field on Wednesday, February 24, in the presence of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Tiwary last had his cricketing assignment during the 2021 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy where he had a top score of 33 from five matches. After joining TMC, the Howrah-born Tiwary stated that the Honourable West Bengal CM is trying to bring unity among people.

Manoj Tiwary excited for his new journey

“The BJP is playing a divisive policy and (CM) Mamata Banerjee is trying to unite people. When I play cricket, I play for the country, not on the basis of religion,” Tiwary was quoted as saying, reported by The Indian Express.

Tiwary also took to his Twitter handle to mark his start in the political field. “A new journey begins from today. Need all your love & support. From now onwards this will be my political profile on Instagram,” he wrote.

A new journey begins from today. Need all your love & support. 😊#DidiShowsTheWay #AssemblyElection #WestBengal #JoyBangla pic.twitter.com/TrrFX67USP

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) February 24, 2021

Ashok Dinda, the former Bengal cricketer, who retired from all forms of cricket earlier in February, joined the BJP at a public meeting in Kolkata. He started his journey in the presence of former state minister turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MP Arjun Singh, and Minister of State for Environment Babul Supriyo among others.

Dinda made his international debut in 2009 and played 13 ODIs and nine T20Is for the Men in Blue where he picked up 29 wickets. But after 2013, he lost his place from the national team once and for all. In his first-class, List A, and T20 career, the speedster picked up 420, 151, and 151 wickets respectively.

Film director-producer Raj Chakraborty also joined the TMC. “I was with Didi and also campaigned for Didi. But, this time I want to campaign and want to work with the party itself because I realized if we did not say this time then may not get the opportunity for a lifetime. So, we are here to support didi,” the 46-year-old stated.