Former India captain Prasun Banerjee first footballer to become MP

Former India captain and Arjuna Award winner Prasun Banerjee has become the first footballer to be a Member of Parliament after winning the Lok Sabha seat in a by-election at the Howrah constituency in Bengal, for ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Banerjee, who is the younger brother of the legendary PK Banerjee, used to play as a midfielder for Mohun Bagan and won the prestigious Arjuna Award back in 1980.

The former player is quite a popular figure in Kolkata and thus was chosen as TMC’s candidate for the by-election in Howrah.

Following the results on Wednesday, PK Banerjee was quoted saying, “He had immense guts even in his playing days and has shown that courage again in another platform. I hope his victory will eventually help in the development of Bengal and Indian football.”

Last year, another former footballer Somatai Shaiza also contested elections in Manipur but lost.