Suspended Trinamool MLA Refuses Resignation Despite Controversy Over Babri Masjid-Style Mosque

The ruling party has decided to further distance itself from Kabir within the Assembly as well.

Murshidabad:

Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir reversed his earlier position on Monday, declaring he would not resign from the West Bengal Assembly, just days after he laid the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid-style mosque in Murshidabad district.

"There is absolutely no question of my resignation at this point. I will not step down as MLA," stated Kabir, who represents the Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad district. Speaking to reporters, he claimed that constituents had urged him to remain in office.

"The people elected me as their representative. They have expressed their wish for me to continue serving. Respecting their collective voice, I have withdrawn my earlier decision to resign," he explained.

Kabir had previously announced plans to resign from the Assembly on December 17, prior to launching a new political party on December 22.

The legislator had also stated he would formally submit his resignation after attending a standing committee meeting in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the ruling party has decided to create further separation from Kabir within the Assembly. TMC leaders indicated his seating arrangement in the House would be modified.

Following Kabir's decision to retain his position as MLA, the TMC legislative party has taken steps to relocate Kabir's seat closer to the BJP benches to maintain distance from ruling party members, according to party sources.

Previously, Kabir had been assigned a front-row seat near the treasury benches due to his former ministerial position.

He had served as minister of state for animal resources after joining TMC in 2012 from Congress but lost his ministerial position following his defeat in the 2015 Rejinagar bypoll.

TMC chief whip Nirmal Ghosh confirmed the party was closely monitoring the situation.

"A decision regarding the seating arrangements for suspended MLAs in the Assembly will be made in the coming days," he told PTI.

The Bengal Assembly is expected to convene for its winter session and an interim budget session before the end of its term.

On Saturday, the suspended TMC MLA laid the foundation stone for the 'Babri Masjid-style' mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad amid tight security, triggering strong political reactions and intensifying tensions within the ruling party.

Kabir claimed the foundation ceremony generated an "unexpected public response," which he cited as the reason for reconsidering his resignation plans.

"I received overwhelming support from people after the foundation stone ceremony. That support has strengthened my determination," he stated.

The TMC suspended Kabir for repeatedly violating party discipline and making provocative statements related to the mosque project.

Despite choosing to remain an MLA, Kabir confirmed he would proceed with plans to launch a new political organization later this month.

"I have not yet engaged in discussions with Congress. CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim has taken responsibility for those talks. There is a strong possibility of seat-sharing with Congress and Left in Murshidabad for the upcoming Assembly elections," he claimed, adding that two additional MLAs would join his proposed party, though he declined to identify them.

Kabir also announced plans for a mass Quran recitation event in Murshidabad in response to the 'Panch Lakkho Konthe Gita Path' program scheduled at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground on Sunday.

Responding to Kabir's statements, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh accused the suspended MLA of attempting to foment communal polarization.

"Gita is in our hearts. We oppose its political misuse. Conversely, Humayun Kabir has attempted to create dangerous communal polarization using the name of Babri Masjid. We strongly condemn such actions," Ghosh declared.