Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir has formally launched a new political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), declaring an ambitious plan to contest up to 200 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The move comes just days after he laid the foundation stone for a replica of the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district.
A Direct Challenge to TMC Supremacy
Addressing a public rally in Murshidabad on Monday, Kabir, the sitting MLA from Bharatpur, issued a direct challenge to his former party's dominance in the district. He announced his candidacy from two seats—Beldanga and Rejinagar—in Murshidabad and expressed confidence in winning both.
"There are 22 Assembly seats in Murshidabad. I will make TMC zero in Murshidabad. I will ensure that in this district, TMC wins no seats at all," Kabir stated while unveiling his new party. He conceded that the BJP might secure one or two seats due to their "money power," but his primary aim is to decimate the TMC's presence in the region.
Beyond his own seats, Kabir named candidates for several other constituencies, including Bhagabangola (Murshidabad), Baishnabnagar (Malda), Harirampur (Dakshin Dinajpur), Murshidabad, Ballygunge (Kolkata), and Rampurhat (Birbhum).
Accusations of Betrayal and 'Lip Service'
In a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Kabir accused her of failing the Muslim community. He recounted joining the TMC from the Congress in 2012 without any preconditions but said the leader he met then is "entirely different" from the present one.
"She had called me a traitor but she has duped the Muslims. I challenge her for a debate on any television channel. So far she has only given lip service and sermons to Muslims, nothing concrete," the suspended MLA asserted.
Kabir also targeted Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari for his past remarks about "throwing out Muslim MLAs." Outlining his party's composition vision, Kabir predicted that if his party contests 200 seats and wins 100, 70 would be Muslim candidates and 30 Hindu, after which they would "march to the Assembly."
Future Plans and Political Strategy
Kabir declared that the Janata Unnayan Party would fight against both the BJP and the TMC in the state. "We will give a jolt to TMC in the Assembly polls. We are ready to fight alone but are also open for coalition with like-minded parties in the state," he added.
To demonstrate his support base, Kabir announced plans for a major rally at Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade Grounds in January. "That day I will show how many people are supporting us," he said, without disclosing the exact date.
The launch of the JUP marks a significant escalation in the political rebellion within the TMC's ranks, particularly in the Muslim-majority districts of Bengal, and sets the stage for a multi-cornered contest in the upcoming state elections.
