– Shabana Javed
Kolkata: The Centre’s action of selecting and including Yusuf Pathan, the cricketer-turned-politician and Lok Sabha member from Baharampur constituency of West Bengal, in the multi-party delegation on Operation Sindoor without consulting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, prompted Trinamool Congress to withdraw his name. The central government is sending a delegation to the world to clarify India’s position on Operation Sindoor and terrorism.
The 42-member delegation, led by 7 MPs, will travel to different countries. Several MPs, including Congress’ Shashi Tharoor, NCP’s Supriya Sule, BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad, are members of this delegation. Yusuf Pathan’s name was proposed by the Trinamool Congress. The Centre also agreed to it.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday addressed the controversy surrounding Yusuf Pathan’s visit to North Bengal, putting an end to speculation that he had gone without informing the party leadership. Speaking to reporters, Banerjee said, “Now, a system has emerged where the Centre does not inform political parties. The Parliamentary Party can only make decisions regarding parliamentary sessions – it has no role in policy-making.”
On the issue of sending party representatives to all-party meetings convened by the Centre, the Chief Minister clarified that no official communication had been received. “We have not received any application. Had there been one, we would have definitely considered it. We stand by the country and continue to support the Centre’s foreign policy. However, the Centre cannot decide the representatives of other political parties. They can choose their own members, but it is up to each party to nominate its own,” she said.
Banerjee emphasised that there is no boycott of the Centre’s initiative. “It is incorrect to say that we are boycotting anything. The Parliamentary Party discusses matters related to Parliament in consultation with the party. I am the Chairperson of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Parliamentary wings of the party, yet we are often not informed. If we are informed, we will certainly respond appropriately.”
