New Delhi: A day after pulling its MP Yusuf Pathan from a multi-party delegation on Operation Sindoor, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Tuesday said it has nominated party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to represent it in one of the seven teams set to visit various world capitals.
According to TMC sources, the party made the switch after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday evening.
A TMC functionary told ThePrint that Rijiju made a call to the CM after a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs which was attended by Abhishek, Mamata’s nephew.
The TMC had pulled out Pathan—who defeated senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the 2024 general elections—saying the Centre should have consulted the party before nominating its MP.
“We’re delighted to share that our Chairperson Smt. @MamataOfficial has nominated Nat’l GS Shri @abhishekaitc to represent Trinamool Congress in the all-party delegation for India’s global outreach against terrorism,” the TMC announced on X.
“At a time when the world must unite to confront the growing threat of terrorism, Shri Abhishek Banerjee’s inclusion brings both conviction and clarity to the table. His presence will not only reflect Bengal’s firm stand against terror but also strengthen India’s collective voice on the global stage,” the post further read.
The Congress also adopted a similar position but maintained that its five leaders—four of which were picked by the Centre without consulting the party—will remain a part of the delegations.
On Tuesday, TMC sources said Rijiju called Mamata to “pacify her and seek her suggestion for a representative” from the party. Mamata is learnt to have told Rijiju that the Centre should have consulted the party instead of unilaterally picking Pathan, who represents the Baharampur constituency in the Lok Sabha.
“During the telephone conversation, Mamata Banerjee recommended Abhishek Banerjee’s name,” one TMC leader said. It was not immediately clear if the Centre had accepted the recommendation.
On Tuesday, while travelling to Delhi for a meeting of the House committee on External Affairs, Abhishek told reporters, “How can the Union government decide on the representative of Trinamool? How can the BJP decide which representative the Trinamool will send, or the DMK or the Congress will send?”
Meanwhile, the TMC also announced that a five-member team of the party will visit Srinagar, Poonch and Rajouri to express solidarity with the people affected by cross-border attacks, and share the grief of the families who lost their loved ones.
Under the guidance of AITC Chairperson @MamataOfficial, a 5-member delegation will be proceeding to Srinagar, Poonch, and Rajouri
The delegation comprising @derekobrienmp @MdNadimulHaque6 @ManasB_Official @sagarikaghose and Mamata Thakur, will be in the region from May 21 to 23…
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 20, 2025
The delegation will comprise TMC leaders Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Manas Bhuniya, Sagarika Ghose and Mamata Thakur.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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