‘₹5 Crore for Ticket!’ — Manoj Tiwary Makes Big Claim After TMC Exit Following WB Elections 2026

May 05, 2026: Manoj Tiwary has made a sensational allegation while announcing his exit from the Trinamool Congress, claiming he was asked to pay ₹5 crore for an MLA ticket ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The former Kolkata Knight Riders star and outgoing MLA from Shibpur said he refused to pay the amount, which ultimately cost him a ticket this time.

Tiwary alleged that several candidates were handed tickets after paying hefty sums, adding that such practices contributed to the party’s poor performance in the elections. The 40-year-old, who also served as Minister of State for Sports under Mamata Banerjee, did not hold back in his criticism, stating that corruption and lack of development across sectors led to the party’s downfall.

“Only those who could pay hefty money could buy tickets. At least 70–72 candidates this time paid around ₹5 crore to get a ticket. I was asked, but I refused to pay. Just check how many of those who paid have managed to win,” he told PTI.

“As far as TMC is concerned, that chapter is over for me,” he added. “I am not at all surprised by this debacle. This was bound to happen when an entire party indulged in corrupt practices and there was no development in any sector.”

BIG ALLEGATION-

"I was asked to pay ₹5 crore for MLA ticket by TMC but I refused.

Look, I am not at all surprised by this debacle.

This was bound to happen when an entire party has indulged in corrupt practices and there was no development in any sector.

Only those who… pic.twitter.com/Pl0AIjv0Jh

— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) May 5, 2026

Tiwary Raises Concerns Over Governance and Sports Administration

Tiwary also spoke about the controversy surrounding the Lionel Messi Kolkata event, which led to chaotic scenes at Salt Lake Stadium. Fans were left disappointed after being denied a clear view of Lionel Messi, as several high-profile individuals crowded around the football icon, who was eventually taken away due to security concerns.

“I knew something like this would happen and refrained from attending the event. I didn’t want to be part of an event where common people were taken for a ride. I repeatedly requested Aroop da to introduce a proper sports policy as per the allocated budget, but he never responded,” Tiwary said.

The 40-year-old former India batter is also the highest run-scorer in Bengal cricket history, with 10,195 runs in first-class cricket. He scored these runs in 148 matches at an average of 47.86, including 30 centuries. In List A cricket, he amassed 5,581 runs from 169 matches at an average of 42.28, with six centuries. At the international level, Tiwary played 12 matches for India, scoring 287 runs at an average of 26.09, including one century and one half-century.