Thousands in the Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency (Behrampore) on Thursday queued up for hours to catch a glimpse of former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan, who came for a few hours to visit his elder brother, Trinamool Congress candidate Yusuf Pathan.
The swashbuckling Pathan brothers from Vadodara, who were all-rounders in the Indian cricket team in the first two decades of the 21st century, took part in a 5km road show for Trinamool between Beldanga's Barua crossing and Rejinagar's Kazisha.
For an hour from 2.30pm, thousands — irrespective of political preferences — lined the road, with cutouts of both brothers in India jerseys, besides bats for the younger one to sign. Till the Kazisha rally, the younger Pathan (Irfan is 39, Yusuf is 41) signed at least 25 bats. Countless selfies were taken by the people in the crowd, with the brothers in the frame.
"We hadn't met in a while, so I am happy we did today," said Irfan, part of the India teams that won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yusuf too was part of the latter, besides the one that won the 2011 ODI World Cup.
"I happened to get picked for the national side first, between the two of us. When I was away on national duty, he'd handle all responsibilities at home. Bhai is the sort who speaks less, works more," added Irfan, who finished with 2,821 international runs and 301 wickets. Yusuf scored 1,046 international runs and 46 wickets, but was a star for the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL for years.
The elder Pathan was chief minister Mamata Banerjee's surprise pick for the Lok Sabha election against Congress veteran Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who has never lost a general election in 25 years.
"I believe Bhai will fulfill all responsibilities here as well. Please look after him. This is the Pathans' promise.... he will take care of your responsibilities," said Irfan.
Yusuf's campaign is being handled largely by Trinamool's four-term Kandi MLA, Apurba "David" Sarkar, who was — till his 2018 defection to Mamata's party — Chowdhury's most trusted lieutenant. Sources in Trinamool said the party is optimistic about Yusuf, mainly because he is a pious Muslim in a constituency where minorities comprise 60 per cent of the voters.
Irfan, a commentator and analyst for the ongoing IPL, arrived around 1pm in a helicopter with irrigation minister Partha Bhowmick. At the helipad, he was received by Yusuf, and they shared a warm embrace.
Before going to their hotel for lunch, Irfan told journalists that he was really happy to meet Yusuf, as IPL responsibilities of one and the poll campaign of the other had kept the brothers apart for a while.
"Feels wonderful to be here, I'm aware of the love people have been showering on Bhai. I have been following his campaign closely in the media. I believe he will win and work for the people," said Irfan.
Asked if he intended to join politics too, Irfan gave a straight reply. "No, I don't see that happening," he said.
