The political landscape in West Bengal shifted on Friday as Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) officially severed its alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP). The decision comes in the wake of a scandalous video released by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which purportedly shows Kabir discussing financial deals and proximity to BJP leadership.
The Catalyst: A Purported “Sting” Video
The controversy erupted after the TMC shared a 19-minute clip on Thursday. Though the video was shot in low light with poor audio quality, several startling claims were allegedly made:
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Financial Demands: Kabir was purportedly heard mentioning figures like ₹1,000 crore, with a request for ₹300 crore in advance.
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High-Level Links: The audio contains references to the PMO, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Bengal’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
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TMC’s Stance: The ruling party has used the clip to demand an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into Kabir’s dealings.
Owaisi’s Reaction: “Going Solo”
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), AIMIM emphasized that they could no longer associate with Kabir, citing the need to protect the integrity of the Muslim community.
“Humayun Kabir’s revelations have shown how vulnerable Bengal’s Muslims are… AIMIM’s policy is to ensure marginalized communities have an independent political voice. We will be contesting the Bengal elections INDEPENDENTLY.”
Owaisi’s party reiterated that Bengal’s Muslims remain among the most “neglected and oppressed” despite decades of secular governance, justifying their decision to move forward without local partners.
Kabir’s Defense: “AI-Generated Fake”
Humayun Kabir, the MLA for Bharatpur who was previously suspended from the TMC for a controversial mosque project, dismissed the video as a fabrication.
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Legal Action: Kabir termed the clip “AI-generated” and threatened legal recourse against those circulating it.
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Logistical Conflict: Kabir noted that the split might be more symbolic than practical at this stage, stating that because nomination deadlines for the upcoming phases have already passed, neither party can easily field new independent candidates in seats where they had already coordinated.
Political Context
Kabir was ousted from the TMC in late 2025 after he laid the foundation for a mosque modeled after the Babri Masjid. He subsequently formed the AJUP to challenge the TMC-BJP duopoly in Bengal, initially finding a natural ally in Owaisi.
With AIMIM now choosing to go it alone, the minority vote in key districts like Murshidabad and Malda may see further fragmentation, potentially impacting the TMC’s traditional strongholds. The BJP has yet to issue an official comment on the allegations of their involvement with Kabir.
