Ex-goalie sticks to sportsman’s spirit as he hits campaign trail

KRISHNANAGAR: Politics has taught

Kalyan Chaubey

, the former India international

goalkeeper

with impregnable defence, a different ball game. To connect.


As he goes around Krishnanagar, from where he is contesting as a BJP candidate, on a whirlwind campaign trip — dressed in a kurta, an Aligarhi pyjama, paired with sneakers and a saffron saffah — he makes it a point to step forward and shake hands or hug people, who seem to be in awe finding him amidst them. He does not turn down any request for selfies. Of course, his legacy as an Indian football icon, who represented the country twice, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, does not require Chaubey to introduce himself.

“I am overwhelmed by the love people are showering on me. Somebody wants me to have lunch while others offer me tender coconut and tea,” Chaubey manages to say before lawyers on the Nadia district court premises, where he is campaigning, mob him for selfies. He is exhausted after campaigning at downtown Krishnanagar since 8am but obliges everybody. The salt and pepper hair coupled with thick-rimmed glasses give him a distinguished look. Krishnanagar votes on April 29.

You can take a sportsman out of the field but cannot take the sportsman spirit out of him. Kalyan seems to be no exception. For every query darted at him, he replies with an analogy from football.

Krishnanagar has a sizeable Muslim voter base (43%). How will he tackle the perception that BJP indulges in partisan politics? “In a football team, we are all teammates and not Hindu or Muslim or Christians. All of us play to bring glory to the country. I think politics is no different. We are Indians and that is my message,” says Chaubey while heading to the party office to strategize for the next day.

“My political opponent has been making personal attacks but I have refrained from doing so because that’s against the sportsman’s spirit,” he adds. Mahua Moitra of Trinamool Congress is contesting from Krishnanagar.

It has helped the BJP achieve a part of the objective by fielding Chaubey from Krishnanagar. He skips his introduction and directly goes on to tell people about his vision for Krishnanagar and the “people-friendly policies” of the Narendra Modi government. “His image of a footballer, who has represented the country, is already striking a chord. We do not have to introduce him to voters afresh. They already recognise him and listen to him with rapt attention,” said Partha Chakraborty, Kalyan’s campaign manager.

What he thinks are his chances? “Always played the game to win,” he flicks it at you with a smile.