Haji Nurul Islam, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP from Basirhat, passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 61 after a long battle with liver cancer. He breathed his last at 1:15 PM at his village home in Boyra, Dattapukur, located in North 24 Parganas district.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, mourned his demise, expressing her sorrow on social media. She stated, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and Basirhat MP, Haji Nurul Islam.” TMC’s National General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, also extended his condolences to Nurul’s family during this time of grief.
According to family sources, Nurul had been battling several health issues over the past six months, including multiple hospitalizations due to his condition. Even during the last Lok Sabha elections, his health was a significant concern, limiting his ability to actively campaign.
Nurul Islam’s political journey began in 2009 when he first became an MP from Basirhat under the TMC banner. Although he lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections after being fielded from Murshidabad’s Jangipur, his political career saw a major comeback in 2016 when he was elected MLA from Haroa with a massive margin of over 43,000 votes, following a re-nomination by party leader Mamata Banerjee. He later won the Haroa assembly seat again in 2021.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Nurul once again represented Basirhat and secured a decisive victory over BJP candidate Rekha Patra, despite challenges posed by local unrest in Sandeshkhali, where corruption and ration scandals had fueled BJP’s campaign. Despite BJP’s aggressive efforts, Nurul’s popularity prevailed, ensuring TMC’s hold over the constituency.
Nurul Islam’s passing marks the end of a significant political career, leaving behind a deep void in West Bengal politics. His contributions to the party and the state will be remembered for years to come.