A political storm has erupted after outgoing Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Manoj Tiwary alleged that he was denied a party ticket for the 2026 Assembly elections because he refused to pay Rs 5 crore.
Speaking publicly after the election results, Tiwary claimed that the denial of his candidature from Howrah’s Shibpur constituency was part of a broader pattern. According to him, tickets were allegedly distributed to those willing to pay large sums of money.
He further alleged that around 70-72 candidates paid nearly ₹5 crore each to secure nominations in this election cycle, suggesting a systemic issue rather than an isolated case.
‘My journey with the party is over’
Following the allegations, Manoj Tiwary indicated that his association with the party led by Mamata Banerjee had effectively come to an end.
Reacting to the party’s electoral setback, he attributed the defeat to what he described as “corrupt practices” and lack of development on the ground, stating that governance failures played a key role in the outcome.
Tiwary also recounted his political journey, describing it as reluctant at the outset. He revealed that he had initially declined an offer to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but later agreed to enter electoral politics at the request of Mamata Banerjee.
He contested the 2021 Assembly elections from Shibpur and won, eventually serving as a Minister of State for Sports. However, he now claims that his tenure was marked by institutional indifference and lack of administrative support.
Alleges lack of internal democracy
In a sharp critique of the party’s functioning, Manoj Tiwary accused the leadership of stifling internal democracy and centralising decision-making.
He described ministerial roles as largely symbolic, claiming that real authority remained concentrated at the top. He further alleged that even basic civic issues in his constituency, such as drainage and sewage, remained unresolved despite repeated appeals.
In a striking claim, Tiwary said that some development work had to be carried out using his personal funds due to bureaucratic and political hurdles.
Addressing allegations of extortion that had surfaced during his tenure, Tiwary dismissed them as politically motivated.
He pointed to his long professional cricket career, including participation in the Indian Premier League and over two decades in domestic cricket, asserting that he had sufficient personal resources and no need to engage in such activities.
Criticism of party leadership
Tiwary also levelled criticism at former sports minister Aroop Biswas, accusing him of sidelining him due to insecurity and failing to implement an effective sports policy despite budget allocations.
He suggested that internal rivalries and lack of coordination further hampered governance and policy execution.
Signalling a shift away from active politics, Manoj Tiwary indicated that he may return to cricket in a professional capacity.
Having cleared his BCCI Level 2 coaching certification, he has applied for the position of head coach of the Bengal Ranji team, marking a possible return to his sporting roots.
