Kolkata, Jan 7 (PTI) Two days after resigning as state minister and TMC president of Howrah Zilla (sadar), former Bengal Ranjhi team captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla on Thursday said that he is "quitting" politics for the time being, as he wants to work for the development of sports.

"I do not want to be in politics for the time being. That's why I have resigned," Shukla told reporters during a press conference at his cricket academy.

Shukla, in a letter to party supremo Mamata Banerjee, had said on Tuesday that he was resigning as the minister of state for sports and youth affairs and TMC Howrah (sadar) president, but would complete his term as a legislator.

"I personally thank everybody I have come across. I will continue going out (to reach out to people) as I am still the MLA. I thank the people of Bengal for their support. Even today they call me a sportsperson and that's my true identity. I am happy that my identity has not changed," he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)