Yusuf Pathan stated he desires to stay linked to individuals of Kolkata
Kolkata:
Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan, the TMC’s face towards Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Baharampur, says he’s right here to remain in politics and stay linked to individuals of the town, who’ve already “accepted him as considered one of their very own”.
Yusuf Pathan, who retired from all types of the game in February 2021, feels with every passing day in Baharampur, he’s gaining energy and confidence.
“I’m blessed to have come to a spot the place individuals are telling me ‘aap ko hum yahan se jaane nahi denge’ (we cannot allow you to go away us),” the right-hand batsman, identified for his towering sixes, instructed PTI in an interview.
“Individuals right here have already accepted me as their son, brother or pal. I’ll follow them it doesn’t matter what the end result of the polls is. I shall be with them for a greater future they deserve. These individuals are my energy and, ‘inshallah’, I’ll win. With the form of constructive mindset I’m at the moment in, I’m not even pondering of the potential of a loss,” Pathan stated.
He’s contesting from the celebrated Baharampur Lok Sabha seat in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on a Trinamool Congress ticket, and has emerged because the prime challenger to Congress veteran and incumbent Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on his house turf.
“I’ve the utmost respect for Adhir Chowdhury, who’s a senior chief,” he stated.
“However after I hearken to individuals, I hear discontentment over his absence from grassroots through the Covid years. Individuals right here allege that Chowdhury failed to herald the required central grants to create infrastructure and employment alternatives. There’s not sufficient work for individuals and the MP of 25 years ought to reply individuals why he failed,” stated the hard-hitting former cricketer, who moved from Gujarat to combat for a seat on the Lok Sabha flooring from Bengal.
Pathan listed creating job alternatives to carry migrant employees again, constructing a world-class sports activities advanced, infrastructure for native silk, thermocol and jute trade employees, and making a assist system for farmers as precedence areas of labor, ought to Baharampur voters select him as their consultant in Parliament.
“I’ve quite a lot of work to do right here. I’ve figured that out in my brief presence within the area, throughout my ballot campaigns and interactions with individuals,” he stated.
Becoming a member of the Lok Sabha ballot fray, nonetheless, was presumably the very last thing on Pathan’s thoughts barely a month and a half in the past until Mamata Banerjee (CM and TMC supremo) and her nephew Abhishek approached him.
“It occurred lower than per week forward of the day the occasion declared its candidate record on March 10,” Pathan stated. “My first response was adverse. I used to be swinging on the horns of a dilemma on whether or not or to not settle for the provide. In spite of everything, I had by no means given a severe thought to politics earlier than, nor was I a selected fan of the craft,” he said.
Requested what ultimately made him select politics and the TMC, Pathan stated with a hearty chuckle: “Cricket toh khatam ho gaya, kuch toh karna tha (my cricketing days had been over and I needed to do one thing).” “On a severe notice, I consulted my household, together with my brother Irfan and spouse Afreen. I additionally spoke to my seniors and buddies. I quickly realised that this might really be a present, a chance from the Almighty to serve the individuals and provides again to society what I earned all these years when it comes to love and respect,” he stated.
Pathan, although, maintained he was acquainted with Mamata Banerjee’s politics for over a decade, significantly since 2011 when he started enjoying for the Kolkata Knight Riders within the IPL.
“I used to come back and keep in Bengal for months and will see the civic infrastructure developments she dropped at Kolkata. Individuals saved telling me about her work in areas of girls’s schooling and for the poor. I even met her in 2014 after KKR received the IPL that season,” he recounted.
“Therefore, saying sure to her provide wasn’t a lot of a problem,” stated Pathan.
Requested if his non secular id, that of a religious Muslim, gave him an edge over opponents in a Muslim-majority seat like Baharampur, Pathan firmly dissociated faith from politics.
“I’ve respect for each faith on this county, however individuals shouldn’t be handled as vote banks primarily based on their non secular identities.
“Elections must be fought for each majority and minority communities, not for one or the opposite. The precedence must be the expansion of financial system and improvement of individuals in order that we are able to construct a future for our subsequent era,” he asserted.
Pathan, who was additionally an efficient off spinner, continues to keep up a deep attachment to cricket regardless of bidding adieu to the sport’s skilled codecs.
Pathan stated his id as a cricketer would proceed to dominate his newfound love for politics.
“Each my identities are essential, none of which I can cover. However, individuals will all the time think about me a cricketer first. They’ve seen me play and beloved me for my performances within the center. Now, they will anticipate me to serve them as considered one of their very own,” he stated.
As somebody who sweated it out on the sphere beneath rigorous coaching schedules, Pathan feels the warmth and mud of Baharampur have solely added a leaf to his expertise in life.
“To the mud, we will all return. ‘Dhool se kya darna’ (why concern it),” he added.
