Amit Shah Forcefully Denies Alleged Rs 1,000 Crore Deal with Former TMC Leader
Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a strong rebuttal on Friday to swirling rumors about a purported video involving controversial former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Humayun Kabir. The video, which has spread rapidly, allegedly shows Kabir claiming a "Rs 1,000 crore deal" with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine Mamata Banerjee's ruling TMC in the West Bengal elections.
Shah's Unequivocal Rejection and Pole Comparison
Campaigning intensively in Bengal, Shah left no room for ambiguity regarding any potential alignment with Kabir. "Humayun Kabir and the BJP are like the North Pole and the South Pole. We can never be together," Shah stated emphatically during a press conference after releasing the BJP's election manifesto for the state.
He accused the TMC of manufacturing political conspiracies to distract from substantive issues. "You do not know Mamata Banerjee's capabilities. She can make 2,000 such videos," Shah remarked, as reported by news agency ANI.
Firm Stance on Principles Over Power
The Union Home Minister underscored the BJP's commitment to its principles, even at the cost of political power. "We would rather sit in the opposition for 20 years than sit with those who talk about building a Babri Masjid in Bengal," Shah declared, referencing Kabir's previous controversial pledge.
This statement highlights the deep ideological divide between the BJP and Kabir, who gained notoriety for his remarks about reconstructing the Babri Masjid in West Bengal.
Kabir's Counterclaims and Denial of Video Authenticity
Humayun Kabir has categorically denied the allegations, labeling the circulated video as "fabricated and generated through artificial intelligence." He clarified, "I have not entered into any agreement with anyone. The clip circulated by the Trinamool Congress does not show who was sitting across from me or in what context the remarks were made."
Kabir also attempted to turn the tables on the ruling TMC by invoking the Narada sting case. "Firhad Hakim and Sougata Roy were seen taking money in the Narada videos. What happened to that case?" he questioned, pointing to past controversies involving TMC leaders.
Legal Threats and Electoral Resolve
On Thursday, Kabir threatened to take legal action against TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and minister Firhad Hakim if they failed to substantiate the allegations of a multi-crore deal.
Despite the controversy, Kabir affirmed his determination to continue in the electoral arena. "I was born alone and will fight alone. I will not retreat from the battle I have begun," he asserted, signaling his intent to remain a political player.
Origin and Content of the Controversial Video
The controversy erupted after the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) circulated a purported 19-minute video on Thursday. The party claimed it showed Kabir referring to a secret understanding with the BJP.
In the video, whose authenticity PTI could not independently verify, an individual resembling Kabir was allegedly heard:
- Claiming proximity to Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
- Stating he was prepared to go to "any extent" to remove Mamata Banerjee from power.
- Asserting he had received Rs 200 crore in advance as part of a larger Rs 1,000 crore arrangement.
Political Implications and Allegations of Vote-Splitting
The TMC has used the video to allege that Kabir's anti-Mamata stance and his efforts to build a Muslim political front are part of a covert BJP strategy. They claim this aims to split minority votes in key districts such as:
- Murshidabad
- Malda
- Uttar Dinajpur
- Birbhum
In response, the BJP has swiftly distanced itself from Kabir, reinforcing Shah's statements that no alliance or deal exists. The party's quick rebuttal aims to control the narrative and prevent any electoral damage from the allegations.
This incident underscores the high-stakes and contentious nature of West Bengal's political landscape, where accusations and counter-accusations are frequent as parties vie for advantage in a closely watched electoral battle.
