Trinamool withdrew name from Op Sindoor delegation as Mamata Banerjee not consulted

IANS May 19, 2025 265 views

The Trinamool Congress has withdrawn Yusuf Pathan from a multi-party delegation due to a lack of prior consultation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party emphasizes its internal discipline and objected to the BJP's unilateral selection process for the Operation Sindoor delegation. Trinamool leadership has been maintaining a cautious stance on the national security issue, even warning party members against public comments. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between regional and national political dynamics in India.

"Neither the BJP nor the Union government can unilaterally decide on who will represent Trinamool Congress" - Anonymous Trinamool Leader
Kolkata, May 19: 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.

Key Points

1

Trinamool protests unilateral selection of delegation member

2

Party maintains strict communication protocol on sensitive issues

3

Mamata Banerjee not consulted on Yusuf Pathan's inclusion

Officially, as of now, nothing has been stated on the reasons that prompted the decision.

However, sources in the party said that since Trinamool Congress has its own separate identity and internal discipline, the leadership could not accept the BJP’s or the Union government’s "one-sided selection" of a party MP as a member of the multi-party delegation.

“Mamata Banerjee was not informed about Pathan’s selection as a member of the delegation in advance. The matter was also not officially communicated to the party leadership. Instead, the Lok Sabha member concerned was contacted directly for his passport details. Neither the BJP nor the Union government can unilaterally decide on who will represent Trinamool Congress in any multi-party delegation,” said a senior leader of the party who did not wish to be named.

Officially, the version of Trinamool Congress as stated by Derek O’Brien, the party's Parliamentary team leader in Rajya Sabha, is that although the party leadership is wholeheartedly behind any initiative by the Union government adopted for national interest, it wants international diplomacy to be handled by the Centre alone.

Incidentally, Trinamool Congress leadership, including the Chief Minister, had been maintaining an extremely cautious stand in giving reactions on Operation Sindoor, through which the Indian armed forces crushed several terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Even the Chief Minister himself avoids making comments on the matter while interacting with the media persons. Even once, when the veteran party Lok Sabha member Saugata Roy last week made some loose comments on Operation Sindoor, the party indirectly censored him and issued a statement disapproving of Roy’s comments on Operation Sindoor. “Let us emphatically state that the statement made by Prof Saugata Roy, MP, is not the opinion of the All India Trinamool Congress,” the statement read.

At the same time, the party leadership issued a strong note of warning to all ranks and files in the party on refraining from any public comment about this nationally sensitive issue, be it on social media or to media persons, or in any public meeting.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments in the requested format:
R
Rahul K.
This is typical political one-upmanship. While national security should be above politics, TMC's reaction shows how everything gets politicized these days. Operation Sindoor is about India's sovereignty, not about who gets credit! 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
I support TMC's stand here. If they're sending our MP as representative, basic courtesy demands consulting Mamata ji first. This isn't about the operation itself but about respecting federal structure. Centre should learn to work with states, not bulldoze decisions.
A
Arjun S.
Whether BJP or TMC, all parties must stand united when it comes to matters of national security. Operation Sindoor has made every Indian proud. Let's not dilute its impact with these petty political squabbles. Jai Hind!
S
Sunita R.
Interesting how TMC is quick to discipline its members for loose comments but can't take a clear stand themselves. Either support the operation fully or have the courage to oppose it. This middle path just looks opportunistic.
V
Vikram J.
As a West Bengal resident, I'm disappointed. Yusuf Pathan would have been a good representative - he's respected across party lines. Why make this about ego when we should be celebrating our armed forces' success? 🤷‍♂️
N
Neha T.
The real issue is - why involve politicians at all in such delegations? Send military experts and diplomats. Politicians will always play politics, regardless of party. Let's keep national security matters professional.

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Tags:
Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee Yusuf Pathan Operation Sindoor Indian Politics BJP