Suspended MLA Humayun Kabir Challenges Trinamool Congress with Babri Masjid Plan and New Political Party in West Bengal

Following his suspension from Trinamool Congress over his plan to construct a Babri Masjid replica in West Bengal's Murshidabad, MLA Humayun Kabir has declared he will prevent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from securing a fourth term in office next year.

"Trinamool's Muslim vote bank will be finished," he boldly stated, adding with cinematic flair, "picture abhi baki hai" (the climax is yet to arrive).

In an interview with NDTV after laying the foundation for the proposed 'Babri Masjid' in Beldanga, Kabir revealed plans to establish his own political party on December 22 and pursue an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM.

He announced intentions to contest 135 of Bengal's 294 assembly seats in the upcoming elections, positioning himself as a "game-changer" in the state's political landscape.

"I will form a new party dedicated to Muslim interests. By fielding candidates in 135 constituencies, I will transform Bengal's electoral dynamics. I've initiated discussions with AIMIM and plan to contest alongside them. I've already spoken with Owaisi," Kabir stated. Neither AIMIM nor Owaisi has responded to these claims.

Beyond challenging Trinamool, Kabir remains concerned about BJP's growing influence in Bengal, as the mosque controversy risks polarizing voters before the 2026 state elections and potentially consolidating Hindu votes.

"I will prevent BJP from gaining power in Bengal. Trinamool will fail to form the next government," he asserted, adding that "numerous industries across India will support me. Muslims in India possess substantial funds that will contribute to building Babri."

Trinamool Congress suspended Kabir, emphasizing their commitment to "secular principles," while BJP characterized his mosque-building initiative as an attempt to foment communal tensions.

Muslims represent a crucial voting bloc for Banerjee's party, which has worked to counter BJP's expanding presence in the state, where the 2021 elections saw the national party emerge stronger than ever before.

Despite challenges, Trinamool secured a commanding two-thirds majority in 2021, though Banerjee herself lost to BJP in Nandigram, the epicenter of her political struggle.

Kabir's foundation-laying ceremony for the 'Babri mosque' attracted massive participation on Saturday. He claimed eight lakh people attended despite receiving no police support, with donations arriving in the form of bricks and cash.

National Highway-12 experienced severe congestion as villagers from Murshidabad and Malda districts joined the donation campaign. Trucks and tractors loaded with bricks arrived from distant locations including North Dinajpur and Canning in South 24-Parganas.

Some participants viewed Kabir's initiative through the lens of the Ayodhya incident, where the 16th-century mosque was demolished in 1992, while others considered it a protest against alleged Trinamool Congress abuses.

Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya dismissed the mosque controversy as a "calculated Trinamool agenda," suggesting Kabir's suspension was merely performative and claiming that Banerjee's party "stands with Babur, but we don't."

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, Bhattacharya's predecessor, firmly stated that a 'Babri mosque' would never be accepted in Bengal. "While mosque construction isn't opposed, building one named after Babur appears designed to insult and provoke Hindus. The Hindu community will respond appropriately," he warned.