Yusuf Pathan gets Rs 20 Crore Land Back from Gujarat Government, Is it related to TMC-BJP Duel?

The Gujarat government has approved the allotment of a disputed 978-square-metre municipal plot in Vadodara to former India cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Yusuf Pathan, with 500 square metres proposed to be transferred to him free of cost and the remaining 478 square metres offered at a concessional rate. The proposal is set to go before the Vadodara Municipal Corporation's (VMC) standing committee for approval on October 23.

The development follows a dispute dating back to 2012, when Pathan approached the civic body seeking the plot adjoining his family residence in Vadodara's Tandalja locality. The proposal had previously been rejected by the state government, while the land later became the subject of an alleged encroachment case and legal proceedings.

According to reports, the plot has an assessed value of approximately ₹20.53 crore. The proposed arrangement would allow Pathan to obtain the entire property, subject to the required civic approvals and the terms of the allotment.

How the land dispute began

Pathan first approached the Vadodara Municipal Corporation in 2012, seeking a 99-year lease for the plot. He cited security concerns linked to his profile as an international cricketer. The civic body initially approved the proposal, but the Gujarat government rejected it in June 2014 because the land had not been offered through a public auction.

In June 2024, the civic body issued a notice directing Pathan to remove the alleged encroachment. He challenged the action in the Gujarat High Court, which dismissed his petition in August 2025. He subsequently filed an appeal before a division bench.

During the proceedings, the court raised questions about the occupation of municipal land without a completed allotment or payment. Pathan withdrew his appeal on August 31, 2026, bringing that round of litigation to an end.

What does the latest proposal offer for Yusuf Pathan?

Under the government's decision, the 500-square-metre portion would be allotted free of cost for residential use. The remaining 478 square metres would be transferred at 55% of its assessed market value, representing a 45% discount on that portion. The overall estimated benefit is nearly ₹15 crore.

The proposal is based on a Gujarat government resolution dated August 13, 2026. The resolution also states that the arrangement should not be treated as a precedent for similar cases and provides for the state Revenue Department to allot municipal land of equivalent value to compensate the civic body.

The allotment is not yet complete. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation's standing committee and general board must complete the required approval process before the transfer can proceed.

Is TMC vs BJP Politics in it?

The development has attracted attention because it follows Pathan's departure from the Trinamool Congress. Elected from Baharampur in West Bengal in 2024 on a TMC ticket, he was among a group of MPs who broke away from the party in 2026 and joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, which aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Parliament.

The timing has prompted questions about the decision, particularly because the original request was rejected and the civic body had considered auctioning the property.