Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir said that the construction of a new Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, along with a growing sense of political assertion among Muslims, could influence the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections. For the first time since Independence, West Bengal could see either a Muslim chief minister or a Muslim deputy chief minister, he added.
Kabir, who has floated the Am Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) ahead of the polls, said that his outfit would contest 182 seats in alliance with AIMIM and could emerge as a decisive player in government formation if the verdict produces a fractured mandate. He expressed confidence that reaching a simple majority without his team's backing would be impossible for any camp.
"If our party forms the government, then there will be a Muslim chief minister for the first time. But even if we do not form the government, we will bring such numbers that no government can be formed without us," Kabir was quoted as telling news agency PTI.
"In that situation, I will demand the post of deputy chief minister. I am saying this clearly — there will be a Muslim deputy chief minister in West Bengal after this election, if not a CM," he reportedly told PTI.
Humayun Kabir was suspended from the TMC last year after a series of public disagreements with the party leadership. He then came up with the proposal to construct a mosque in Murshidabad modelled on the demolished Babri Masjid of Ayodhya—a plan that has triggered sharp reactions from both the ruling party and the opposition.
"AIMIM will contest eight seats — three in Birbhum, three in Murshidabad, and two in Malda. The rest of the seats are part of our total of 182," he said while elaborating on his agreement with Asaduddin Owaisi. He reportedly added that four sitting TMC MLAs had contacted him through emissaries to explore the possibility of contesting the election on the AJUP ticket.
Kabir argued that Muslim voters, who he claimed have influence in 114 assembly segments, were increasingly dissatisfied with the TMC. In those seats, whichever way Muslims vote will determine the winner, he said.
Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in West Bengal in April.
