Former Cricketer Yusuf Pathan Joins Trinamool Congress for Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal

Former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan has formally entered the political arena by joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. The TMC leadership, helmed by Mamata Banerjee, recently released the candidate list for all constituencies in the state, with Pathan’s name featuring prominently.

TMC’s decision to field Yusuf Pathan as its contender from the Berhampore Lok Sabha seat sets the stage for a potentially intense battle with Adhir Chowdhury, a seasoned Congress leader who has a strong grip on the constituency. Berhampore, known as a Congress stronghold, is likely to witness a competitive electoral clash.

This move from Yusuf Pathan comes after he joined the TMC’s ranks under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, who aims to consolidate the party’s presence in West Bengal ahead of the elections. Pathan’s participation injects a fresh sporting spirit into the political discourse in the state, adding a dynamic element to the electoral narrative.

The TMC’s candidate list for the Lok Sabha polls also includes various significant names like Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, who is contesting from the Diamond Harbour constituency. There have been strategic shifts within the party, including dropping certain candidates and nominating others, like Kirti Azad for the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat and Haji Nurul Islam to replace Nusrat Jahan in Basirhat.

Mamata Banerjee’s announcement at the mega rally in Kolkata that the TMC will contest all 42 seats in West Bengal independently signifies the party’s confidence in its grassroots support. Additionally, discussions with Akhilesh Yadav‘s Samajwadi Party for a potential alliance in Uttar Pradesh suggest a broader political strategy in the making.