She is no longer within reach of common people: Humayun Kabir slams Bengal CM as he launches new party
Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday announced the launch of a new political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party, ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Taking aim at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Kabir said she was no longer within the reach of common people, while also laying out his party's electoral ambitions in Murshidabad.
New Delhi: Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday announced that he will launch his own political party. Kabir said the new outfit, named the Janata Unnayan Party, will contest the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Kabir was suspended from the TMC a few days ago following controversial remarks related to the construction of a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. The Bharatpur MLA said his party plans to contest at least two Assembly seats — Rezinagar and Beldanga, in the upcoming polls.
'I will emerge as the kingmaker': Kabir
Addressing a public gathering in Beldanga, Kabir challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to win at least one seat in the elections. He criticised the Bengal CM, claiming that Mamata Banerjee has changed and is no longer "within the reach of the common man”.
In a fiery post on X, Kabir alleged that the TMC would fail to win a single seat in Murshidabad. He also attacked the BJP, asserting that even if the party were to win 200 seats, his outfit would secure at least 100. The former TMC MLA claimed he would emerge as a "kingmaker” after the elections, saying his party’s performance would significantly influence the final outcome.
BJP–TMC ruckus
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Kabir of attempting to create divisions among Muslims in Bengal. Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed Kabir’s move, alleging that Mamata Banerjee had instructed him to form a separate party and operate indirectly.
The BJP further claimed that Kabir’s move was aimed at polarisation and at diverting Muslim votes that had shifted away from the TMC, thereby weakening the Opposition’s electoral prospects.
How did the controversy erupt?
The controversy erupted a few days ago when the TMC suspended Humayun Kabir over his remarks regarding the construction of a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. Reacting to the incident, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim issued a sharp response.
"We noticed that one of our MLAs from Murshidabad suddenly declared that he would build a Babri Masjid there. Why suddenly Babri Masjid? As per the party’s decision, we are suspending MLA Humayun Kabir,” Hakim said.
It has been nearly eight months since parts of Murshidabad witnessed unrest during the Waqf Act controversy. The region has once again come under the spotlight amid concerns over religious tension and political polarisation.