Former Indian soccer star Bhaichung Bhutia joined hands with Siliguri MLA and mayor Asok Bhattacharya to distribute relief among people during the lockdown here on Wednesday.

Around four years ago, Bhaichung, who was in Trinamul then, had contested against Asok (who was fielded by the CPM) in the Assembly elections from Siliguri seat. He had lost to the veteran CPM leader by around 15,000 votes.

On Thursday, Bhaichung, who floated the Hamro Sikkim Party, reached ward six of Siliguri. “Bhaichung has got stuck in Siliguri because of the lockdown and could not move to Sikkim. He contacted me and said he wanted to extend some support to the residents. Accordingly, we distributed relief materials among residents of Darbhangatola together on behalf of the civic body,” said Bhattacharya.

The former footballer has provided 100 sacks of rice and some sacks of pulses, he said.

Bhaichung was appreciative about the mayor. “We might have contested against each other, but that is past. When I was playing football, I had played against the opponent team of my elder brother. I consider Asokda as one of the few gentlemen who are in politics. My respect for him is always there,” said Bhaichung.

Asked about his home state, the former footballer said it was nice to see that no coronavirus case had been detected in Sikkim.

“The state government has done its part but it is the people of Sikkim, who adhered to the directives, have made it possible,” he said.