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Kolkata: Difficulties seem to be increasing for Mamata Banerjee amid election defeat in West Bengal and speculations of rebellion within the party. Meanwhile, there is talk in the political circles that the TMC supremo herself wants to take over the party by contesting the Lok Sabha elections. For this he has chosen Baharampur seat, from where former cricketer Yusuf Pathan is currently the MP.

Why is Mamta’s focus on Baharampur seat?   

According to media reports, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asked Yusuf Pathan to resign to contest the elections from Baharampur. But the former cricketer has clearly refused. There are about 70 percent Muslim voters in Baharampur. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Yusuf Pathan had created a major upset by defeating veteran Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary.

This discussion has come to the fore at a time when speculations about the breakup of 23 TMC MPs are intense. It is believed that Mamta herself wants to reach the Lok Sabha and stop the party from breaking. On one hand, there is talk of her contesting elections from Baharampur, while on the other hand, Humayun Kabir has made an offer to Didi from Rezinagar seat of Murshidabad.

Yusuf Pathan refused to leave the seat   

According to reports, Mamata may want to contest from Baharampur, but Yusuf Pathan, who hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, is not ready to vacate the seat. He has ruled out the possibility of resignation. Yusuf got the benefit of Mamata Banerjee’s support in the 2024 elections. He defeated Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary by 85 thousand votes. He got a total of 5,24,516 votes.

Baharampur’s Muslim-dominated population and strong TMC cadre played an important role in Yusuf’s victory. Now that the tussle within the party is increasing, this seat has become politically important for Mamata.

Fear of rebellion in the party   

Dissatisfaction has increased in TMC after the crushing defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Some MLAs have formed rebel groups. Now there is discussion that this dissatisfaction may reach the MPs also. There is speculation that there will be a big game in the party before the monsoon session.

There is talk from Kolkata to Delhi that if the MPs rebel, TMC may face trouble in the Lok Sabha. In such a situation, Mamta’s contesting the elections herself is being considered a strategy to keep the party united.

At present TMC has 28 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 13 in the Rajya Sabha. After Yusuf Pathan’s refusal, now everyone’s eyes are on what will be Mamta’s next step.