Following the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, former cricketer and outgoing Minister of State (MoS) for Sports, Manoj Tiwary, resigned from the party and launched a scathing critique of its internal functioning.
Tiwary alleged that his tenure was marred by “insults and humiliation,” specifically accusing senior Sports Minister Arup Biswas of systematically obstructing his work. While the TMC leadership has yet to issue a formal rebuttal to these specific claims, the development highlights deep-seated internal friction within the party following its electoral setback.
A “Lollipop” Portfolio: Allegations Of Marginalisation
Describing his ministerial role as a “lollipop,” Tiwary claimed he was relegated to a purely ceremonial position with no functional authority despite his 2021 electoral mandate. The former Bengal captain expressed deep frustration, stating that his ambitions to overhaul the state’s sporting infrastructure were stifled.
“Arup Biswas would not allow any good work to happen… Other than having tea and biscuits, I had no work in the Sports Department,” Tiwary remarked. These quotes offer a rare glimpse into the power dynamics of the outgoing administration, suggesting that junior ministers were allegedly sidelined by senior veterans, preventing them from fulfilling their promises to the electorate.
From Pitch To Politics: A Fractured Transition
Manoj Tiwary’s entry into politics in 2021 was initially seen as a major boost for the TMC, bridging the gap between West Bengal’s passion for sports and its governance. However, the friction between his sporting vision and the party’s bureaucratic hierarchy became evident following the party’s 2026 loss.
This public fallout follows a period of intense political shifting in the state, where internal accountability is being questioned after the electoral defeat. The resignation of a high-profile figure like Tiwary, citing a lack of professional dignity and the inability to serve the public, adds a layer of complexity to the party’s current period of introspection and restructuring.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that political offices are platforms for public service, not tools for ego-driven gatekeeping. When elected representatives, especially those from non-political backgrounds like sports, are silenced or “kept aside,” it is the citizens who ultimately lose.
A healthy democracy thrives on collaboration, mutual respect, and the empowerment of all members of a cabinet to work for the greater good. Internal hierarchies should foster growth and mentorship rather than humiliation. We urge political parties to embrace transparency and ensure that those chosen to lead are given the agency to actually deliver change.
#WATCH | Former West Bengal Sports Minister Manoj Tiwary says, "In this video, I want to explain how my work has been hindered over the past five years. I want to share this. Arup Biswas (TMC leader and former minister) prevented me from working. I come from the sports world and… pic.twitter.com/isM4CMyRe1
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2026
