The Election Commission has directed Yusuf Pathan not to use photographs and videos of the Indian cricket team for campaigning in the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal where he is contesting as a Trinamool Congress candidate. The EC’s direction came after the campaign managers of his rival and incumbent MP, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury complained about the “misuse of photographs of national icons like Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar” by the former cricketer.
Yusuf Pathan was informed in writing by the Election Commission on Friday that he cannot use the national team’s picture in the election campaign. Images that have already been used in promotional work should also be removed immediately, it directed.
Pathan was a member of the team when India won the Cricket World Cup in 2011. He used the moment of winning the World Cup and the photograph with former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in his election campaign banners.
The Congress had alleged that this was in violation of election rules. They argued that the moment of winning the World Cup was a moment of pride and emotion for the entire country. They alleged that memories of such an event should not be used for political gain.
They said that Sachin is a national icon and using his photographs was also against the Model Code of Conduct.
After receiving the complaint of the Congress Party, the Election Commission sought a report on the matter from the District Commissioner of Murshidabad. It was asked why Sachin’s picture was used, whether there was any valid permission or not. Yusuf’s election agent and the flex manufacturing company were also asked to give a written reply in this regard within a week. Yusuf, however, said, “I am proud to play for India. If that moment of pride is highlighted, I don’t think there is any injustice”.
Yusuf Pathan’s name was one of the biggest surprises in the Trinamool Congress’s candidate list for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The former cricketer from Gujarat has been nominated by Trinamool from Baharampur. The Congress candidate against him is Baharampur’s five-time MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Voting will be held in Baharampur on May 13.