TMC has fielded former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan from the Berhampore Lok Sabha seat, a Congress stronghold represented by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Although the Congress is yet to announce its Lok Sabha candidates from West Bengal, Chowdhury is likely to recontest given he has represented the seat five times as an MP.
Chowdhury expressed his discontent over Mamata Banerjee-led party’s move saying TMC should’ve sent Yusuf Pathan to Rajya Sabha instead of bringing ‘outsiders’ in Lok Sabha elections.
“If TMC wanted to honour Yusuf Pathan, they should’ve sent him to the Rajya Sabha instead of sending ‘outsiders’,” the Congress leader said, adding that Mamata Banerjee should have asked the INDIA alliance to field him from Gujarat, his home state.
Chowdhury further sharpened his attack on Mamata Banerjee accusing her of bringing former cricketer Yusuf Pathan to “polarise the common man and to help the BJP, so that Congress can be defeated” in the Lok Sabha polls. “Mamata Banerjee has proven today that none of the political parties of India should trust a leader like her,” he said.
“Mamata Banerjee is in fear that if she continues to be in the INDIA alliance, PM Modi will be unhappy. By separating herself from the INDIA alliance, she has sent a message to the PMO, don’t be unhappy with me, I am not standing to fight against the BJP,” Chowdhury added.