Yusuf Pathan refuses Mamata Banerjee's demand to Vacate MP Seat as Sourav Ganguly turned Mediator: Report

In a stunning twist amid Trinamool Congress’s post-assembly election crisis, former Indian cricketer and Berhampore MP Yusuf Pathan has reportedly refused to vacate his Lok Sabha seat for party supremo Mamata Banerjee.

The development, emerging just days after TMC’s heavy defeat in the 2026 West Bengal polls, has exposed fresh cracks in the party’s ranks.

According to multiple reports, the former West Bengal chief minister was eyeing a parliamentary return via a bypoll from the strategically important Berhampore constituency. The seat, with its significant Muslim voter base, had been a prized TMC gain in 2024 when Pathan, a political debutant, defeated five-time Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury by over 85,000 votes.

Sourav Ganguly turned Mamata's mediator

Sources claim former India captain Sourav Ganguly acted as an emissary, conveying the request to Pathan on Mamata’s behalf. However, the all-rounder-turned-MP stood firm, arguing he could not betray the fresh mandate from voters who elected him barely two years ago.

Pathan’s refusal has reportedly stalled the plan, adding to the churn within TMC as it grapples with assembly losses, including Banerjee’s own Bhabanipur seat.

This episode comes at a delicate time for TMC. After the party’s reduced numbers in the assembly, Banerjee is believed to be looking for a stronger national platform. A bypoll entry into Lok Sabha could have helped consolidate her position.

TMC are in deep trouble after their dismal defeat in the West Bengal assembly election last month. After a freefall in people's mandate, Mamata has also lost power in her own party and is in risk of losing her political symbol as a rebellion team within the TMC MLAs have formed the legislative structure within the WB assembly. Defected from Trinamool, MLA Ritabrata Banerjee has led 59 others to establish himself as the Leader of Opposition within assembly, against Mamata's will, who earlier formed and designated a different leader.