Months After Quitting TMC, Yusuf Pathan Allotted Disputed ₹20.53-Crore Plot in Vadodara

Gujarat’s BJP government has approved the allotment of a disputed 978-square-metre government plot in Vadodara to former cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Yusuf Pathan, months after he quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and aligned with the NCPI.

The state government has issued the necessary orders to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), with final approval from its Standing Committee still pending. The plot, adjacent to Pathan’s bungalow in Tandalja, has an estimated value of ₹20.53 crore, or ₹2.10 lakh per square metre.

VMC Commissioner Arun Babu reportedly said the civic body had received the state government’s approval and would place the proposal before the Standing Committee. The allotment process will move forward once the panel grants its approval.

Pathan’s TMC Exit and the Political Background

The development comes months after Pathan and 19 other MPs broke away from the Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and aligned with the NCPI as per reports.

Pathan, who represents Baharampur in the Lok Sabha, has also been reportedly embroiled in a long-running dispute over the government land next to his residence in Vadodara. The proposed allotment remained unresolved for 14 years, with the state government rejecting an earlier proposal to transfer the land without a public auction.

How the 14-Year Land Dispute Began

In 2012, Pathan wrote to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation seeking allotment of the 978-square-metre plot adjacent to his bungalow in Tandalja. The proposal was discussed at municipal meetings on March 30 and June 8 that year.

The dispute resurfaced in 2024 when the municipal corporation ordered immediate action to remove the alleged encroachment, citing the rejection of the allotment proposal. Pathan challenged the decision in the Gujarat High Court.

High Court Challenge and Withdrawal of Appeal

On August 21, 2025, the Gujarat High Court dismissed Pathan’s petition. He subsequently approached a division bench to challenge the single judge’s order.

During a hearing on June 8, 2026, the High Court questioned how the government land had been occupied without a legal allotment or payment. The court also raised concerns about the role of municipal officials in the matter.

A further development came on August 31, 2026, when Pathan withdrew his appeal before the High Court.

What Happens Next?

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation will place the allotment proposal before its Standing Committee after examining the state government’s order. The committee’s approval remains the next step in the process.

The final amount payable by Pathan is yet to be determined. Although the plot’s estimated value stands at ₹20.53 crore, the state government’s approval alone does not complete the allotment process.