Cricketer Yusuf Pathan to Contest Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections as Trinamool Congress Candidate From Behrampore

Kolkata: In a few days time, former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan will pad up to bat on a different pitch. As per reports, Pathan is set to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as part of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. He is going to contest from the Behrampore constituency. The cricketer’s move is in alignment with the party’s ploy as it gears up for a grand inauguration of its 2024 campaign, called ‘Jonogorjon Sabha’, at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Grounds. The TMC revealed its line up of 42 candidates during this mega event, setting the stage for the all-important electoral contest.

Yusuf has been associated in the past with the Kolkata Knight Riders team. He has been the architect of many matches for the Knight Riders franchise and hence is extremely popular in the city. Pathan has recently been featuring in a number of exhibition matches.

TMC announces the names of 42 candidates for Lok Sabha elections.

Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan and party leader Mahua Moitra among the candidates. pic.twitter.com/vfmb7alfbx

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2024

The Behrampore constituency is currently held by Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. But it is uncertain he will be fielded by the Congress for the same constituency or not. He has represented Behrampore five times in the Lok Sabha so it is likely he seeks to recontest.

In the past, the TMC has pointed fingers at Adhir Ranjan for the collapse of alliance talks with Congress. The Congress and Trinamool were in talks for an alliance, but talks did not materialise as Adir kept criticising TMC.

So, for Yusuf it will not be a walk in the park if he has to face the seasoned politician.