In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 state elections, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir has officially launched a new political party, directly challenging the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
A New Political Front Emerges in Bengal
On Monday, December 22, 2025, Humayun Kabir unveiled his new political outfit, named the Janata Unnayan Party, at a public meeting in Beldanga. This move comes just days after the TMC suspended him from the party. His suspension was a direct consequence of his controversial decision to lay the foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad district, an act compared by many to the Babri Masjid issue.
Electoral Ambitions and Direct Challenge to Didi
Addressing the gathering, Kabir made his electoral intentions clear. He announced that his party will contest the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. In his first list, he named eight candidates and revealed specific plans to field candidates from the Rejinagar and Beldanga constituencies.
Launching a sharp attack on the current establishment, Kabir challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He alleged that she has become inaccessible to the common people of Bengal. Asserting his primary political aim, Kabir stated his mission is to remove her from power in the upcoming polls.
The Backstory: Suspension and Controversy
The genesis of this political split lies in Kabir's independent action in Murshidabad. His act of laying the mosque's foundation stone, without the party's consent, was seen as a major breach of discipline. The TMC leadership responded swiftly by suspending him, a move that has now culminated in the birth of a rival party. This development underscores the ongoing tensions within the party's ranks, especially in key districts, as Bengal gears up for another high-stakes electoral battle.
Political analysts suggest that Kabir's new party could potentially splinter minority votes in certain regions, a factor that could influence the complex electoral arithmetic of West Bengal. The coming months will reveal how this new entrant shapes the political narrative and impacts the strategies of major players like the TMC, BJP, and the Left Front.
