He said he had informed the AICC it would take him some time to submit the proof of his nationality. “I told them I would furnish the documents before I file my nomination papers.”

“How dare the AICC choose a candidate without consulting district leaders? The whole of Malda will protest. We are thinking of fielding Naser as an Independent,” said a visibly angry Hashem.

Congress sources said there has been a rift between Noor and Hashem ever since the former was elected as an MLA from her mother’s seat of Sujapur. Noor has gained much popularity in Malda since then. “I am not a part of any controversy. My party ultimately wanted me to be the candidate and therefore I will fight the elections. The people of Malda are with me and I will start campaigning soon,” said Noor over phone from Delhi.

Hashem defeated CPM’s Sailen Sarkar in the Lok Sabha by-polls held in September 2006 by a margin of 83,391 votes. This time around, the CPM has fielded Sailen Sarkar from Malda North and Abdur Rezzak from Malda South.