Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has claimed that his "TMC chapter is over" after being denied a ticket from the Shibpur seat in Howrah. The outgoing MLA alleged that party functionaries demanded Rs 5 crore in exchange for a candidature, which he refused.

Tiwary, who served as Minister of State for Sports under Mamata Banerjee, said the party's recent electoral defeat was expected due to alleged corruption and lack of development. A prominent figure in Bengal cricket, he remains the state's highest first-class run-scorer with over 10,000 runs.

Speaking to PTI, Tiwary alleged that a "ticket-for-money" system was prevalent within the party. "Only those who could pay hefty amounts could buy tickets. At least 70-72 candidates paid around Rs 5 crore. I was asked too, but I refused," he said, adding that such practices affected both governance and electoral outcomes.

Manoj Tiwary: Claims of Lack of Internal Democracy

Tiwary further accused the party of lacking internal democracy and ignoring grassroots issues. He claimed that ministers were often not given a chance to raise concerns during meetings and described his ministerial role as symbolic.

Highlighting civic issues in Howrah, he said drainage and sewage problems remained unresolved despite repeated requests. Tiwary also claimed that some development work in his constituency was funded from his own pocket.

Addressing allegations that he extorted money from builders, Tiwary dismissed the claims and cited his long cricketing career and financial standing. "I declared assets worth Rs 20 crore in 2021. I have played IPL and first-class cricket for years. I don't need extortion money," he said, attributing the accusations to local political rivalries.

Tiwary also revealed tensions with state sports minister Aroop Biswas, alleging he was sidelined during official events. He criticised the lack of a structured sports policy and administrative inefficiencies in the state.

He further claimed he avoided attending a high-profile football event featuring Lionel Messi at Salt Lake Stadium, anticipating mismanagement and public inconvenience.

What Next For Manoj Tiwary?

Following his political fallout, Tiwary is now focusing on cricket coaching and media work. He has cleared the BCCI Level 2 coaching examination with distinction and has applied for the head coach role at the Cricket Association of Bengal.

Tiwary's statements mark a clear break from active politics, as he turns his attention back to cricket while raising serious questions about internal functioning within the Trinamool Congress.