In the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Trinamool Congress faced uncertainty due to the absence of their Rajya Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor, a prominent figure from Malda carrying the legacy of Bengal’s legendary Congress leader Abu Barkat Ghani Khan Chaudhury. Noor’s return ahead of the poll for the two Malda Lok Sabha constituencies brought relief to the party. She clarified that her delay was due to contracting viral fever while attending personal matters in Delhi.
The Trinamool had nominated Prasun Banerjee for Maldaha Uttar Lok Sabha seat and Shahnawaz Ali Raihan in Maldaha Dakshin. However, Noor’s absence led to some disappointment among a section of the party claiming proximity to her, as her name was not featured in either constituency. Noor, who had previously lost from Maldaha Uttar to a BJP candidate in 2019, had been appointed to the Rajya Sabha by the Trinamool within a year.
Upon her return to Malda to resume campaigning, Noor’s explanation for her absence brought relief to leaders and supporters. Despite outward calm, reports suggest underlying discontent within the party, similar to the reasons that prompted her departure from the Congress seven years ago.
