On Tuesday, June 25, former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan took the oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha. Earlier in the year, the two-time world champion had joined the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and contested the Lok Sabha elections from Berhampore in West Bengal. In a significant political victory, Pathan managed to defeat seasoned Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and BJP’s Nirmal Kumar Saha, emerging victorious with a substantial margin of 85,022 votes. On the day of his oath-taking, Pathan wore a navy blue bandhgala and was seen shaking hands with Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab after completing the formal procedure.
As he took his oath, Yusuf Pathan declared, “I, Pathan Yusuf Khan, having been elected a member of the House of People, do swear in the name of God affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter. Jai Hind, Jai Bangla, Jai Gujarat.” His pledge resonated with his commitment to serve the nation and its diverse regions.
Following his election victory, Pathan expressed a strong desire to contribute to the development of Berhampore. One of his primary goals is to build a sports complex in the area, aiming to provide opportunities for local youth to pursue careers in sports. Additionally, he has plans to foster industrial growth and work towards the overall betterment of the region’s populace.
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Yusuf Pathan articulated his intentions by stating, “I will make a sports academy first so that they can make a career. I will also work for industries. I will be living here and working for the people. I will also be in Gujarat as my family is there. I have got a new family in Baharampur (Berhampore). I talked to Didi (Mamata Banerjee). They are happy.”
His words reflect his commitment to balancing his responsibilities in both his native Gujarat and his new constituency in West Bengal. After his notable victory, Pathan shared a heartfelt moment on social media, posting a picture of himself and his father holding the election certificate. The 41-year-old cricketer-turned-politician expressed that his father felt immense pride and joy at his son’s new role.
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In his tweet on June 6, Pathan wrote, “Standing with my Abba and the MP winning certificate. The joy and pride are similar to representing India in cricket. From sports to politics, my mission is to serve and develop our great nation. Abba is proud and delighted that I have this chance to make a difference.”
Yusuf Pathan (Trinamool Congress) takes oath as Member of Parliament (Berhampore, West Bengal). #Parliament | #LokSabha | #RajyaSabha | #ParliamentSession pic.twitter.com/iUu3eg5t1m
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 25, 2024
This transition from sports to politics marks a new chapter in Yusuf Pathan’s life, showcasing his dedication to public service and his resolve to bring positive change to his constituency and beyond.
