According to senior TMC officials, Pathan's name was included in the delegation without prior consultation with the party leadership. Although the government reportedly reached out to Pathan directly, the former cricketer-turned-politician conveyed his unavailability for the assignment. The TMC maintains that foreign policy falls exclusively within the Union government's purview and that the central administration should bear full responsibility for decisions in that domain.
Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, aims to dismantle terrorist infrastructure across the border. The initiative has garnered international support, with countries like the United Kingdom, France, Israel, the Netherlands, the United States, and Panama expressing solidarity with India's stance against cross-border terrorism.
As part of its diplomatic outreach, the Indian government organized seven multi-party delegations of MPs to visit key global regions, including Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. These delegations are tasked with engaging policymakers and think tanks to emphasize India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Notable political figures leading these efforts include Ravi Shankar, Shashi Tharoor, Supriya Sule, and Kanimozhi.
Pathan's withdrawal from the delegation follows internal criticisms within the TMC regarding his perceived detachment from constituency affairs. His absence during the Murshidabad violence in April, which erupted following protests against the Waqf Act, drew ire from party colleagues. Local leaders expressed disappointment over his lack of presence during the crisis, with some questioning the decision to field a celebrity candidate with limited political experience.
Further controversy arose when Pathan shared images on social media depicting a leisurely afternoon, which many deemed insensitive given the unrest in nearby areas. Party insiders indicated that such actions have strained his relationship with grassroots workers and the party's top brass.