Why Did Trinamool Withdraw Yusuf Pathan from Op Sindoor Delegation?

Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, Trinamool Congress has withdrawn Yusuf Pathan from the Operation Sindoor delegation after the Centre appointed him without consulting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP amid sensitive national security operations.
Key Takeaways
- Trinamool Congress values internal communication.
- Operation Sindoor is a critical national security initiative.
- Mamata Banerjee's leadership is pivotal for the party.
- Political dynamics in West Bengal are sensitive.
- Public comments on national issues are heavily regulated.
Kolkata, May 19 (NationPress) The decision by the Centre to include Yusuf Pathan, a cricketer-turned-politician and Lok Sabha representative from Baharampur in West Bengal, in the multi-party delegation for Operation Sindoor without prior consultation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led to the Trinamool Congress retracting his name.
Currently, there has been no official communication regarding the reasons behind this choice.
However, an insider from the party indicated that the Trinamool Congress values its distinct identity and internal discipline, making it impossible for the leadership to accept the BJP’s or Union government’s unilateral decision to include a party MP in the delegation.
“Mamata Banerjee was not informed about Pathan’s inclusion in the delegation beforehand. The matter was not communicated to the party leadership but instead, the Lok Sabha member was approached directly for his passport information. Neither the BJP nor the Union government can solely dictate who represents Trinamool Congress in any multi-party delegation,” remarked a senior party figure who requested anonymity.
Officially, Trinamool Congress, as articulated by its Rajya Sabha Parliamentary team leader, Derek O’Brien, stated that while the party stands firmly behind any initiative from the Union government for the national interest, it believes that international diplomacy should be the sole responsibility of the Centre.
Notably, Trinamool Congress leadership, including the Chief Minister, has maintained a cautious stance regarding Operation Sindoor, which involved the Indian armed forces dismantling multiple terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Chief Minister has refrained from commenting on the issue when engaging with the media. Recently, veteran party Lok Sabha member Saugatata Roy made some offhand remarks about Operation Sindoor, which led to the party's indirect reprimand, issuing a statement expressing disapproval of Roy’s comments, stating, “Let us emphatically clarify that the statement made by Prof Saugata Roy, MP, does not reflect the views of the All India Trinamool Congress.”
Furthermore, the party leadership has issued a stern warning to all members to abstain from public commentary on this sensitive national topic, whether on social media, to the press, or in public gatherings.