Bhaichung Bhutia, Shaji, Kalyan Chaubey & 4 others file nominations for AIFF President's post

Kalyan Chaubey is another player who has thrown his hat in the ring.

Legendary Indian footballer, Bhaichung Bhutia filed his nomination for the AIFF President's post in the upcoming elections. Bhutia, backed by his former national teammate Deepak Mandal, is among the most prominent names in the upcoming elections. As many as seven candidates submitted their candidature on Friday, the deadline day for filing nominations. This was after the opening two days had seen little to no interest.

Khel Now had earlier confirmed that fellow former footballer Kalyan Chaubey have also filed his nomination for the AIFF President's post. Chaubey's name has been proposed by the Gujarat Football Association. He is a former India goalkeeper and a BJP politician from Kolkata.

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NA Haris (Karnataka FA President), Shaji Prabhakaran (Football Delhi President), Ajit Banerjee (IFA President), Manavendra Singh (Rajasthan politician) and Valanka Alemao (Churchill Brothers CEO) are the other candidates who have filed their nominations for the president's post.

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Among them, Ajit Banerjee is the brother of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While, Manavendra Singh has served as an MP as well as MLA from Rajasthan. He also happens to be the son of former Defence Minister late Jaswant Singh.

Bhaichung Bhutia has previously contested election on a Trinamool Congress ticket from Darjeeling and now has his own party Hamro Sikkim. However, he has filed his nomination as an eminent player. Although FIFA have strongly objected to allowing players to be part of the electoral college. Earlier this week, FIFA suspended the All India Football Federation (AIFF) with immediate effect for undue third-party intervention and violation of FIFA statutes. As a result of the ban, India have lost its right to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

However, prior to the ban, the Supreme Court had given a go-ahead for the elections to be held on August 28. Although the apex court will revisit the matter in its next hearing on August 22 (Monday).

*** This article was updated on August 20, 7:30 pm as per latest information.

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