Yusuf Pathan, Contestant in Bengal, Asserts Longevity in Politics.

Yusuf Pathan, who retired from all forms of the sport in February 2021, shares his sentiments on being in Baharampur, stating that each passing day there has been instrumental in strengthening his resolve and confidence. He acknowledges the support and acceptance he has received from the locals, expressing gratitude for their embrace. Pathan is contesting for the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on a Trinamool Congress ticket, emerging as a strong contender against incumbent Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. He states that his decision to enter politics and join the TMC was influenced by the opportunity to serve the people and give back to society, as well as by encouragement from Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek.

Pathan emphasizes his commitment to address the needs of the people if elected, highlighting priorities such as creating job opportunities, developing infrastructure, and establishing support systems for various industries and farmers. He underlines that Mamata Banerjee’s work in Kolkata and her focus on women’s education and poverty alleviation initiatives have shaped his positive view of her and the TMC. Despite his religious identity as a devout Muslim, Pathan firmly advocates for dissociating religion from politics and stresses the importance of equal focus on the economic growth and development of all communities. He also acknowledges his deep attachment to cricket and asserts that his identity as a cricketer will continue to be an integral part of his persona, expressing determination to serve the people as one of their own.

As someone who has experienced the rigor of professional sports, Pathan reflects on the challenges he faces in his new endeavor and draws strength from his past experiences. He expresses a sense of fearlessness and acceptance of the unknown, acknowledging the transient nature of life.