Bhutia recently contested the Sikkim Assembly elections from Barphung on an SDF ticket, but lost to Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Riksal D. Bhutia.

SKM won the elections and formed the government for the second consecutive time by winning 31 of the 32 assembly seats in the hill state.

"After the 2024 election results, I realized that electoral politics is not for me at all. So I am leaving all forms of electoral politics with immediate effect. My only regret is that I thought I had great opportunities with regard to development. The idea was that if sports and tourism were given a chance, I would love to implement it and thus contribute to the development of the state in a very honest and sincere manner, Bhutia said in a statement.

He said, "As Lord Buddha said, 'One must have good intentions'. I can only say with complete honesty and humility that my intention in politics was to do good for the people of both the state and the country."

"I would like to thank everyone who supported me through all the bad times. If I have hurt anyone knowingly or unknowingly, I am also sorry. As we say in football, please do it in the spirit of the game." Take it.”

The former star Indian footballer also congratulated Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for SKM's landslide victory in the elections and expressed hope that the ruling party will fulfill its promises and the government will work towards the betterment of the state.

Bhutia also mentioned that he will now spend more time in introspection, working towards other goals and searching for a new purpose.