Former India captain and All India Football Federation (AIFF) presidential candidate Bhaichung Bhutia on Sunday alleged that political pressure has led to his home state body Sikkim FA not supporting him in the upcoming general body elections.

The 45-year-old Bhaichung, one of the biggest names in Indian football, is set for a straight fight for the AIFF president’s post in the September 2 polls. His opponent, former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey, is believed to be the front-runner with backing from politically important state associations like Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. Chaubey is a BJP leader in Bengal.

Bhaichung’s nomination was proposed and seconded by Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan state associations. Bhaichung alleged meddling by some leaders of the ruling Sikkim Krantakari Morcha (SKM) party who had put pressure on the Sikkim FA president Menla Ethenpa to vote against him. “Some SKM party leaders have persuaded the SFA president to vote against me when he should be requested to abstain. I suggest they back off,” he said at a press conference here.

“I really don’t want his (Ethenpa’s) vote but direct meddling by political figures will hamper the development of football in the state and also the country as a whole,” a furious Bhutia said. “The president (Menla Ethenpa) will represent SFA in the elections, not himself. If he sincerely wants football to survive, then he should represent what is right.”

Bhaichung also said that it’s time for Ethenpa to step down from his post which he has held for the past 16 years. “After the AIFF presidential elections, I will move court seeking a third party investigation into the accounts of SFA,” Bhaichung added.