Yusuf Pathan opts out of all-party delegation; TMC says 'Centre can't unilaterally decide'

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Yusuf Pathan has opted out of the all-party delegation after Centre chose him as party's representative, PTI reported citing party sources. The TMC indicated that the selection was "unilateral" and it should have been "decided by the respective party leadership."

Although the exact reason for Pathan's decision remains unclear, both West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee asserted that the Centre should not have the authority to choose the party's representative for the delegation.

Mamata Banerjee, however, categorically mentioned that the party did not intend to boycott the delegation.

"It is wrong to say that we are boycotting or not going. They need to inform the party. The parliamentary party discusses the bills in the Parliament. It takes decisions regarding the Parliament, and that too, after consulting with the party. I am the chairperson of the parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha," she said.

"However, we are never informed. We will definitely send a representative if they inform us. Why wouldn't we? There is no point of controversy here. We are fully with the government," she added.

"The Centre cannot unilaterally decide who will represent which party. This has to be decided by the respective party leadership. If you ask for one representative, we will give you five names. But the Centre also needs to show its good intent and call for a wider deliberation with all parties in the opposition," Abhishek Banerjee said.

Congress party has also questioned the Centre's selection criteria for the delegation calling it "dishonest" after it rejected all the four names suggested by the grand old party and chose Shashi Tharoor among others.

The Centre on Sunday unveiled a list of seven delegations comprising political leaders, parliamentarians, and former ministers from various parties, tasked with presenting India’s firm stance against terrorism in the wake of Operation Sindoor.