Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has announced his exit from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), making serious allegations against the party following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a majority. Tiwary, who previously served as West Bengal’s Junior Sports Minister, claimed that he was denied a party ticket to contest from the Shibpur constituency after refusing to pay ₹5 crore. He alleged that internal corruption within the party had become widespread, which he said contributed significantly to the TMC’s electoral collapse.

According to Tiwary, candidates were allegedly required to pay large sums to secure election tickets. He claimed that a significant number of candidates this election cycle had paid substantial amounts to contest seats, and questioned their electoral performance. He further stated that he had declined to participate in such practices, which he said led to his exclusion.Describing the election outcome as predictable, Tiwary said the party’s defeat reflected deeper organisational and governance issues. He accused the TMC of lacking development initiatives across sectors and suggested that public dissatisfaction had been building over time.

Tiwary also confirmed that his association with the TMC had ended, stating that his “chapter is over” with the party. His remarks come just a day after the TMC lost power in the state, ending its 15-year rule in West Bengal.The former batter recalled his earlier entry into politics, noting that he was initially approached by the party leadership in 2019 while still active in professional cricket, including participation in the Indian Premier League. He eventually entered electoral politics and won the Shibpur seat in the 2021 assembly elections.

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He also described how he was persuaded to contest earlier elections after discussions with senior party leadership, saying he believed at the time that he could contribute to public service and development work.Tiwary’s allegations add to the political turbulence following the election results, which have triggered resignations, accusations, and internal criticism within the TMC. The party has not yet issued a detailed response to his claims.

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