West Bengal polls: There is a BJP-TMC nexus, says ex-TMC leader Mausam Noor

“There is a strong public perception in Bengal that there is some kind of understanding between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP,” says Mausam Noor, explaining her return to the Congress.

As West Bengal heads into crucial elections, Noor outlines why she believes the Congress is best placed to challenge both the BJP and the TMC, and how the party plans to regain lost ground in key districts.

In this interview, the senior Congress leader and former MP explains why she left the party and joined TMC earlier, her reasons for returning to Congress, and allegations of political understanding between TMC and BJP.

What prompted your return to the Congress after your stint with the TMC?

I belong to a Congress family. My uncle, Ghani Khan Choudhury, is a well-known name, and that gave me a platform to work for the people of Malda. I started my career as an MLA and then became an MP for two terms from Uttar Malda. At that time, I felt threatened by the growth of the BJP and had suggested to my leadership that we should ally with the Trinamool to stop the BJP. When that did not happen, my workers and I felt strongly that joining the Trinamool was the right step.

But deep down, I felt a lot of guilt. Whatever support I have is because of the Congress. Also, my perception that the Trinamool could fight the BJP turned out to be wrong. I began to feel that there was some kind of nexus between the TMC and the BJP.

Eventually, I realised that the Congress is the best platform to fight the BJP and work for the people of Malda. Also, my brother and I had fought separately in 2019, which created strain. So we decided to reunite under the Congress and carry forward Ghani Khan Choudhury’s legacy.

You mentioned a perception of a TMC-BJP understanding. What led you to believe that?

In 2021, during the Assembly elections, the situation became completely polarised. The NRC issue created fear among people. It felt like a strategic plan — minorities would vote for the Trinamool and Hindus for the BJP.

The results reflected this polarisation. Over time, we also saw that despite allegations against the Trinamool, there was no major action taken.

This created a public perception that there is some understanding between the TMC and the BJP. Even now, with the SIR issue, people feel that a similar atmosphere is being created to polarise voters.

We are against both the BJP and the Trinamool. Congress stands for secularism, which is the culture of Bengal.

Why should minority voters choose Congress, especially when there is concern that vote division may benefit the BJP?

Malda, Murshidabad, and Uttar Dinajpur have traditionally been Congress strongholds. The Trinamool came later and tried to gain minority support.

The idea that we are splitting votes is not correct. Congress has always had strong minority support in these regions.

We are appealing to all communities. Our aim is to represent everyone and maintain Bengal’s secular fabric.

What is your message to minority voters who feel voting for Congress may be ineffective?

I don’t think people in these regions agree with that perception. They have always supported Congress.

With the SIR issue, people are very unhappy. They see that Congress is actively protesting — Rahul Gandhi has been raising this issue consistently.

People know Congress is standing with them in this crisis. That is why we are receiving strong support not just from minorities but from other communities as well.

What are the top failures of the TMC government, especially concerning minorities?

There are many issues. One is the Waqf matter. When the Waqf Bill came, we expected strong support from the Trinamool leadership. But instead, we were told to protest in Delhi. Later, despite assurances, the implementation issues remained. As a Mutawalli myself, I saw how people were given very little time to upload details on the portal. There was widespread dissatisfaction.

If Congress comes to power in the state, we will strongly oppose the Waqf Bill and ensure that minorities do not feel intimidated.

Then there is the OBC issue, where names were shifted from Category A to B. That also caused anger.

And now the SIR issue — around 60 lakh names went into adjudication, with a large number from Malda, many of them minorities. People are worried about their citizenship status. They expected support from TMC but did not get it.

How does Congress plan to rebuild its organisation after years of decline?

Congress still enjoys deep-rooted support among the people. The legacy of Ghani Khan Choudhury and the Gandhi family has created strong emotional bonds.

Even when Congress was not in power, people remained loyal to its ideology. Now, with anti-incumbency against both the TMC and the BJP, people are returning to Congress.

They believe in our values of secularism, development, and peace.

Also Read: Key issues shaping voter sentiment in Bengal, Tamil Nadu as campaign ends

How relevant is Ghani Khan Choudhury’s legacy today?

He was a tall leader who stood by everyone. People still remember him fondly.

His values — secularism, development, and peace — are still relevant. When people face corruption and instability, they return to these core values.

In many ways, Congress represents the roots of the people of Malda.

If Congress comes to power, what alternative policies will it offer on key issues?

If Congress comes to power in the state, we will strongly oppose the Waqf Bill and ensure that minorities do not feel intimidated.

In 2029, when Congress returns at the Centre, we will work towards correcting how the Waqf framework is being handled.

On OBC issues, we will restore the earlier classification.

On SIR, we will ensure that all genuine voters whose names were removed are reinstated in the voter list.

There is a perception that Congress has not led strong protests on these issues. Your response?

We have done extensive protests. We held a nine-day sit-in on the SIR issue in town areas and across blocks.

We have organised meetings and demonstrations on Waqf and other issues as well. Congress has been consistently raising these concerns.

In case of a hung Assembly, would Congress consider a post-poll alliance with the TMC?

That is not for me to decide. The party leadership will take that call.

Our priority is the development of Bengal and stopping the BJP. Whatever the leadership decides, we will follow.

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