KOLKATA: The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears to be deepening, with fresh reports suggesting that party MP and former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan has refused to resign from his Lok Sabha seat Behrampur to facilitate a possible parliamentary entry for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The development has triggered intense speculation about growing cracks within the party at a time when TMC is already battling internal rebellion and leadership challenges.
According to reports emerging from party circles, discussions had been underway regarding the possibility of Mamata Banerjee contesting a by-election to strengthen her political position amid the ongoing turmoil within the party. As part of these deliberations, Yusuf Pathan’s Baharampur Lok Sabha seat was reportedly considered as one of the possible options. However, Pathan is said to have conveyed that he is unwilling to vacate the seat he won in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The reported refusal has added a new dimension to the ongoing instability within the TMC. The party has been grappling with unprecedented internal dissent following its recent political setbacks in West Bengal. Several legislators have openly challenged the leadership structure, while disputes over organizational control and legislative positions have further complicated matters.
Political observers believe that the controversy surrounding Yusuf Pathan is significant because he was personally chosen by Mamata Banerjee as a high-profile candidate in the 2024 parliamentary elections. The former Indian all-rounder defeated veteran Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from Baharampur, marking one of the most notable victories for the TMC during the Lok Sabha polls.
The current controversy comes at a sensitive moment for the party. Over the past few days, reports have indicated increasing dissatisfaction among sections of TMC legislators and leaders. Rebel groups have challenged decisions taken by the party leadership, while some expelled leaders have claimed support from a substantial number of lawmakers. The developments have raised concerns about the unity of the organization ahead of future political battles.
Adding to the uncertainty, the TMC recently undertook a major organizational restructuring by dissolving several committees and party wings. The move was widely viewed as an attempt to regain control over the party machinery and address growing internal dissatisfaction. However, the reported disagreement involving Yusuf Pathan suggests that the leadership may continue to face resistance from multiple quarters.
Pathan’s political journey within the TMC has been closely watched since his entry into electoral politics. The former cricketer was projected as a fresh face capable of expanding the party’s appeal beyond its traditional support base. Despite criticism from opponents over his limited political experience, he emerged victorious in Baharampur and became one of the prominent first-time MPs in the TMC parliamentary contingent.
In recent months, Pathan has remained in the spotlight on several occasions. Last year, he withdrew from a Centre-sponsored all-party delegation after the TMC leadership objected to his nomination without prior consultation. The episode highlighted the party’s insistence on centralized decision-making and underscored the importance of leadership approval in political matters.
The latest reports, therefore, have attracted significant attention because they appear to challenge assumptions about unquestioned loyalty within the party. While neither Yusuf Pathan nor the TMC leadership has issued a detailed public statement confirming the reports, the speculation has intensified political discussions across West Bengal.
Analysts note that if the reports are accurate, the episode could become another test of Mamata Banerjee’s authority at a time when the party is seeking to project unity. The TMC remains a major force in national opposition politics and continues to play an important role within the INDIA bloc. Any prolonged internal conflict could have implications not only for West Bengal politics but also for opposition dynamics at the national level.
For now, the focus remains on whether the party leadership can contain the growing unrest and prevent further divisions. As political developments unfold, the reported stand taken by Yusuf Pathan has emerged as yet another flashpoint in what is becoming one of the most challenging phases in the Trinamool Congress’s recent history.
