In a significant political development in West Bengal, suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir officially launched a new political party on Monday, setting the stage for a fresh contest in the state. The Bharatpur MLA, who was suspended by the ruling TMC weeks ago, unveiled the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) at an event in Beldanga, Murshidabad district.
A New Political Front Emerges
Kabir's suspension from the TMC stemmed from his controversial involvement in laying the foundation stone for a mosque, which was compared by some to the Babri Masjid style, in the Murshidabad district. Seizing the moment, the MLA has now charted an independent course. At the launch event, he not only introduced his party's flag – featuring yellow, green, and white – but also took the bold step of announcing eight candidates that JUP will field in the crucial 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections.
Kabir declared that he himself will contest from two constituencies: Rejinagar and Beldanga. He named two of his namesakes as candidates from Bhagwangola and Raninagar. Furthermore, Manish Pandey was announced as the candidate for Murshidabad, while Nisha Chatterjee will contest from Ballygunge. Outlining his party's core mission, Kabir set his sights squarely on the current Chief Minister, stating his objective is to ensure Mamata Banerjee is ousted from power in the upcoming polls.
Sharp Criticism and a Clear Mission
Launching a scathing attack on his former party leader, Humayun Kabir did not mince words. "Mamata Banerjee will not be sworn in as Chief Minister again," he asserted. He expressed his disillusionment, claiming, "She is no longer the person I knew and is now beyond the reach of the common man." Positioning his new outfit as a people's platform, Kabir emphasized, "Our party will speak for the ‘aam aadmi' of the state and their upliftment."
Detailing the party's electoral symbols, Kabir stated his first preference would be the 'table' symbol, which he used when he contested the 2016 state elections as an Independent candidate. His second choice for a poll symbol is 'twin roses'.
Political Reactions: TMC Dismisses, BJP Alleges Conspiracy
The launch of the Janata Unnayan Party elicited sharp reactions from both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the state's principal opposition.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh greeted the announcement with sarcasm, quoting a line from a Kishore Kumar song: "Jitni chabhi bhari Ram ne utna chale khilona" (As much as Ram winds the key, the toy runs that much). Ghosh dismissed the event as a "puppet show with strings being controlled from elsewhere." He expressed confidence in the electorate, stating that voters have historically frustrated attempts to split votes in Bengal. "They still trust and believe if anyone can defeat BJP, it's Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress," Ghosh added, comparing the rally to CPM's brigade rallies where attendance doesn't translate into votes.
On the other hand, the state BJP president, Samik Bhattacharya, alleged that Kabir's move was a ploy to help the TMC return to office. "Kabir will not be a factor in the next assembly polls," Bhattacharya claimed. He accused Kabir of attempting to split the "BJP votes" and predicted that the new party leader would "face the drubbing of the electorate along with his old friend TMC, with which he is still in touch."
The formation of the Janata Unnayan Party adds a new dimension to West Bengal's already complex political landscape as parties begin to position themselves for the 2026 electoral battle. With Kabir vowing to challenge the might of the TMC and both major parties viewing his entry with suspicion, the political dynamics in Murshidabad and beyond are set for a shift.
