In a massive setback for the Congress in Bengal ahead of the national elections, party MP Mausam Benazir Noor joined the Trinamool Congress on Monday, ending months of speculations.
The second-term Congress MP met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at state secretariat 'Nabanna' during the day, following which the announcement was made.
Noor, niece of Congress stalwart ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, have quite often been taking stands which were not in line with that of the party's state leadership.
The Malda (North) MP has been a strong advocate of electoral alliance with the TMC to fend off the BJP in the state.
She met Banerjee in November last year, giving rise to speculations.
Noor's uncle Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury, the Congress MP from Malda (South), is also in favour of forging an alliance with the TMC.
Talking to reporters after the announcement, Noor said, "I'm inspired by Didi (Mamata). I'll work under her guidance for the development of the state. I believe that she is the last word for everything. We have to fight against the BJP and I'm quite confident that the TMC will win all the 42 seats in West Bengal in the Lok Sabha elections."
"Barkat sahib (Khan Chowdhury) carried out so many development works for Malda and now people have faith in Didi. We are with her. We will do everything to stop the BJP in West Bengal," she added.
Soon after her joining, Banerjee announced that Noor will be Trinamool's general secretary and would be taking care of the party in Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda.
"She (Noor) will start working from tomorrow. She will also participate in the rally on January 30," Banerjee said.
Asked whom she would like to see as the next prime minister, Noor said, "As a Bengali I will like to see Didi in the post."
The bordering district of Malda has been a Congress bastion for several decades. Even after the Trinamool Congress formed Government in the state, the Congress maintained its hold on the district.