When Bidesh Bose and Manoj Tiwary — who will contest in the upcoming Assembly elections under the Trinamul Congress (TMC) banner — describe chief minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee as a “coach” and “captain”, you understand it’s the sportspersons in them who are speaking, not politicians.

While former India footballer Bidesh will be TMC’s candidate from Uluberia East, Manoj, who has played cricket for India and Bengal, will try his luck from Shibpur.

“As a cricketer, I have played under many captains, but she (Mamata) is totally different. I can say I have just started working under the best captain I have ever seen in my life. She is an inspiration, full of energy and always thinks for the people of West Bengal,” Manoj told The Telegraph on Friday.

Bidesh, on the other hand, said: “In my playing days, I have always followed what my coach Pradip da (PK Banerjee) had said. On this new field, Mamata is my coach. I will do whatever she would ask me to do. I am ready to work for the people and with the people.”

Manoj is confident of a win. “Didi has done almost everything for the people. So I think we should win. I will go door to door and talk with all my voters. I will just tell them what Didi has done for all of us. I feel I am very lucky that she has chosen me. I hope I win and my party wins too. The developmental works in the state should continue,” he said.

Asked what will he tell voters, Manoj said: “I will tell them I am a representative of Didi. Everybody knows how much she has done for the state in the last ten years.”

“I would first go and meet Jatu Lahiri, outgoing MLA from Shibpur. I hope he will guide me on how to go about my campaigning. He has vast experience.”

His target? “I always like to work for the people and that is why I have decided to join TMC. Didi’s work inspired me a lot, so when she asked me to join the party, I didn’t think twice,” he said.

Manoj has not taken retirement from cricket, but at this point in time he is not thinking about the game. “Right now, my first target is to win the election,” he said.

Bidesh has received many phone calls from Uluberia East after his candidature was announced.

“I am very touched. People from Uluberia called me and said ‘we are waiting for you to come here’. I have one advantage, most of the people of the area are Mohun Bagan supporters. So they have special affection for me,” the former Bagan player said.

“I will start my election campaign from Saturday, but before that I would take some tips from experienced people. After all, Mamata herself is ready to help all of us,” Bidesh signed off.