"A wide shot of a political rally in rural Murshidabad at dusk. A large crowd is listening to a speaker on a raised platform. Flags with a new (fictional) party symbol are waving. Dust and golden light in the air."
Brajesh Mishra
Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA [Humayun Kabir] declared today that he will emerge as the "kingmaker" in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that neither the ruling TMC nor the opposition BJP will be able to form a government without his support. Speaking just days after his suspension for "anti-party activities," the Bharatpur legislator announced plans to launch a new political party on December 22, targeting 135 Muslim-majority constituencies across the state. The TMC leadership has dismissed his claims as "daydreaming," challenging him to save his security deposit before dreaming of governance.
The rebellion began on December 6, when Kabir defied party orders to lay the foundation stone for a mosque modeled on the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. The provocative move, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the 1992 demolition, was seen as a direct challenge to Chief Minister [Mamata Banerjee]'s secular coalition strategy. The TMC, fearing communal polarization, suspended him immediately. Instead of retreating, Kabir has doubled down, positioning himself as an independent Muslim voice in a district where minorities make up nearly 65% of the population, filling the space left by the failure of national parties like AIMIM to gain a foothold.
While headlines focus on the "Kingmaker" boast, the deeper story is the "Indigenous AIMIM Experiment." Kabir isn't just a disgruntled MLA; he is attempting what Asaduddin Owaisi failed to do—create a homegrown, Bengali-speaking Muslim political force. By rejecting "outsider" parties and building a narrative around local religious identity (the Babri replica), he is testing whether Bengal's minority politics can evolve beyond the TMC's umbrella. If he succeeds even partially, he doesn't need to be king; he just needs to be the spoiler who denies the TMC its critical 30% vote share foundation.
If Kabir fields candidates in 135 seats, he could split the anti-BJP vote, inadvertently helping the saffron party in tight contests. This forces the TMC to rethink its candidate selection for 2026, potentially purging other "liability" MLAs to restore discipline. For the voters of Murshidabad, the election is no longer just about development; it has become a referendum on religious identity and political loyalty.
If a single MLA can threaten to hold the government hostage with a mosque and a microphone, how secure is the "fortress" of Bengal politics?
Who is the suspended TMC MLA claiming to be a kingmaker? Humayun Kabir, the MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad district, has claimed he will be the "kingmaker" in the 2026 elections. He is a veteran politician who was suspended by the TMC for anti-party activities.
Why was Humayun Kabir suspended from TMC? He was suspended on December 7-8, 2025, for laying the foundation stone of a mosque modeled after the Babri Masjid on the anniversary of its demolition. The TMC leadership viewed this as a communal provocation that violated the party's secular stance.
What is the name of Humayun Kabir's new political party? The name has not yet been revealed. Kabir stated that he will officially launch the party and announce its name on December 22, 2025.
How many seats does he plan to contest? Kabir has announced plans to field candidates in 135 constituencies, primarily targeting Muslim-majority districts like Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur.
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