The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has nominated its national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, to represent the party in the Operation Sindoor global outreach as part of an all-party parliamentary delegation. This decision comes after Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan opted out of the delegation due to availability issues.
Background and TMC's Position:
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Operation Sindoor is a global initiative by the Centre, involving seven delegations of 51 political leaders, MPs, and former ministers. These delegations will visit various world capitals to articulate India’s unified stand against terrorism.
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The outreach aims to build global consensus and support against terrorism, following India's recent strategic and diplomatic actions.
TMC's Objection:
Despite supporting the initiative itself, the TMC expressed dissatisfaction with the process followed by the Centre:
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Mamata Banerjee emphasised that the Centre did not consult the party before naming its representatives. “If they request the mother party, the party will decide the name,” she said, underlining that while TMC supports India’s foreign policy, party autonomy must be respected.
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Abhishek Banerjee reinforced this stance, stating:
“We stand with the Central Government on all decisions related to the national interest… but the Central Government cannot decide who will represent the Trinamool Congress in the delegation.”
Yusuf Pathan's Withdrawal:
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Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, who was part of a delegation led by JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, withdrew, citing non-availability.
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Previously, Sudip Bandyopadhyay of the TMC also declined participation, citing health issues.
Implications:
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Abhishek Banerjee’s nomination signals TMC’s strong support for India’s anti-terror campaign while asserting party autonomy in representation.
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The episode highlights ongoing tensions between the Centre and opposition parties over consultative processes, even on issues of national importance.
TMC’s move allows it to participate in a crucial international initiative while also taking a principled stand on democratic norms and federal cooperation.
