Former cricketer and newly elected Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan has withdrawn from an all-party parliamentary delegation set to visit global capitals to present India’s stance on Operation Sindoor. His exit has triggered a political storm, with the TMC accusing the central government of bypassing party protocols and disrespecting the Opposition’s autonomy in nominating representatives.
TMC Questions Selection Process
Yusuf Pathan, a first-time MP who recently defeated Congress veteran Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Baharampur in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, was named by the Centre to be part of the international outreach delegation. However, Trinamool leaders claim the nomination came without any consultation with the party. National general secretary Abhishek Banerjee questioned the legitimacy of the move, stating that the Union government had no authority to decide who represents the TMC. “This isn’t about boycotting the initiative. We are not politicising national security,” Banerjee asserted while speaking at Kolkata airport. “But the government must consult parties before naming their MPs to such sensitive delegations.”
According to party insiders, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had initially approached TMC’s floor leader Sudip Bandopadhyay to join the mission, but he declined citing health concerns. Subsequently, Yusuf Pathan’s name was unilaterally included by the government, leading to TMC’s withdrawal.
Congress Also Voices Dissent
The Congress has also expressed its dissatisfaction over the selection process. Parliamentary affairs minister Rijiju reportedly spoke to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, following which Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi submitted four names: Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar. Yet, only Anand Sharma made it to the final list announced by Rijiju. The list instead included other senior leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, and Amar Singh—none of whom were part of the party’s original recommendations.
Although Congress eventually allowed its leaders to participate, the party accused the government of “complete insincerity” and engaging in “cheap political games.” The backlash from both Congress and TMC has underscored broader concerns about how bipartisan cooperation is handled in matters of national security and foreign outreach.
The row reflects a deepening mistrust between the Centre and Opposition parties, even on issues of national importance.
