Kolkata
Political Irony as Ex-TMC Rebel Extends Support to Mamata Banerjee
In a politically significant development, AJUP founder Humayun Kabir has offered former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee the opportunity to re-enter the Assembly from Rejinagar through a bypoll, despite having earlier broken away from the TMC and campaigned against her government.
In a twist that underscores the fluid nature of West Bengal politics, Humayun Kabir on Thursday offered former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a potential route back to the state Assembly from the Rejinagar constituency in Murshidabad district.
Kabir, who founded the AJUP after parting ways with the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), had earlier been a vocal critic of Banerjee and had called for the defeat of her government. His latest remarks therefore carry considerable political significance.
The AJUP leader won both the Nowda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Under election rules, he is required to vacate one of the two seats, which would subsequently trigger a bypoll.
Speaking to reporters, Kabir said he was willing to relinquish the Rejinagar seat if Banerjee wished to contest from there.
“If Mamata Banerjee comes to me, I can send her to the Assembly from Rejinagar. If she contests from Nandigram, she will not win. But if she wants, I will resign and ensure her victory from my constituency,” Kabir said.
The offer comes at a time when Banerjee is facing one of the most challenging phases of her political career following the TMC’s electoral defeat and her own loss in Bhabanipur. As a result, speculation has continued over the route she may take to return to the state legislature.
Political observers note that Rejinagar, located in Murshidabad district, has a distinct electoral profile and could potentially offer a viable platform should Banerjee decide to seek re-election through a bypoll.
However, neither Banerjee nor the TMC has responded publicly to Kabir’s proposal. It remains unclear whether the former chief minister would consider such an offer, particularly given the political circumstances surrounding Kabir’s departure from the party.
The development nevertheless highlights the rapidly evolving political equations in West Bengal following the Assembly elections, with parties and leaders reassessing alliances and strategies in the state’s transformed political landscape.
