In a recent development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken action against former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan, who is contesting as a Trinamool Congress nominee from Baharampur in Murshidabad district for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Pathan has been barred from utilizing images from India’s triumphant campaign in the 2011 ODI World Cup in his election campaign.
The issue came to light after the Congress lodged a complaint with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, on March 26. The complaint alleged that Pathan had violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by incorporating photos of Sachin Tendulkar in his campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.
Yusuf Pathan, the elder sibling of former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, was a part of the victorious Indian team captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the 2011 ODI World Cup held in India.
Sources within the CEO’s office confirmed that upon careful consideration of the complaint, the poll panel deemed the Congress’ argument valid. It was emphasized that the sentiment associated with India’s triumph in the 2011 ODI World Cup, being a matter of national pride, should not be exploited by any political entity for electoral gains.
As a result, the Commission instructed the former cricketer to eliminate all campaign materials featuring images linked to India’s victory in the 2011 World Cup.
Following the complaint filed by the Congress, Pathan defended his actions by asserting his right to use World Cup-related images, citing his role as a member of the winning team.
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