KOLKATA: The Asaduddin Owaisi-led Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Friday severed its pre-poll alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) in West Bengal hours after the Trinamool Congress released a video, purportedly showing Kabir striking a “deal” with the BJP.
“Humayun Kabir’s revelations have shown the extent of the weakness of Muslims in Bengal. AIMIM cannot be associated with any statements where the integrity of Muslims is called into question,” AIMIM said on X. As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with a major party.”
According to the unverified video, Kabir was in touch with BJP leaders and mobilized Muslim voters against the ruling TMC for Rs 1,000 crore.
While the video sparked controversy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected suggestions of any connection between the BJP and Kabir, saying the suspended TMC leader and the BJP are “like the North Pole and the South Pole” and can never be together.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the video, Kabir said: “A video from December 19 was widely shared on April 8. What has Mamata Banerjee been doing all these days? This is a conspiracy. I will respond to it in the Supreme Court.”
Regarding the AIMIM decision, the suspended TMC legislator said: “He (Owaisi) is free to take his decision. I will not comment on that. As far as I know they have fielded candidates on 14 seats across Bengal. The last date for filing nominations for both the phases has expired. So, even if his party or my party wants to field candidates independently, it will not be possible.”
Kabir, a Bharatpur legislator, was stopped by the TMC for laying the foundation stone of a local mosque on the lines of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 2025. Days later, he launched his own party AJUP to contest the elections in alliance with AIMIM.
Later in the day, Khabib Amin, AJUP’s West Bengal president, resigned from the party. But he mentioned different reasons.
“As a member of Pirzada and a trustee of an institution, I have certain social and religious responsibilities towards society, which are affected by my political participation,” Amin wrote in his resignation letter.
