Kolkata: Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has reacted sharply to the latest political buzz around Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan, saying that the former cricketer was fielded by Mamata Banerjee only to defeat him in the Lok Sabha election.
The remarks came amid speculation over Yusuf Pathan’s political position and reports linked to internal developments within the TMC. Pathan had defeated Chowdhury from the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general election, ending the Congress veteran’s long hold over the constituency.
Chowdhury, who had represented Baharampur several times in Parliament, said the TMC’s decision to bring Yusuf Pathan into the contest was not based on local politics, but on the objective of stopping him. According to the report, he claimed that Mamata Banerjee had fielded Pathan specifically to defeat him.
The Congress leader’s statement has added another layer to the political discussion in West Bengal, where the relationship between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress has remained strained despite both parties being part of the larger opposition bloc at the national level.
Yusuf Pathan, a former India cricketer, entered electoral politics through the TMC and won from Baharampur in 2024. His victory was seen as a major setback for Chowdhury, who had built his political identity around the seat for decades.
In recent days, Pathan’s name has also figured in speculation after reports claimed that he may be asked to resign to make way for Mamata Banerjee in a possible by election. Pathan, however, has denied such reports, calling them completely false. Sourav Ganguly has also rejected reports that he had contacted Pathan on behalf of Mamata Banerjee.
The controversy is politically significant because Baharampur has long been considered a Congress bastion in Murshidabad district. Chowdhury’s defeat there marked a major shift in Bengal’s political map and strengthened the TMC’s presence in a region where the Congress once had considerable influence.
For the Congress, Chowdhury’s comments reflect the continuing bitterness over the 2024 result. For the TMC, Yusuf Pathan’s win remains an example of its ability to challenge old political strongholds.