The dream of laying the foundation of Babri Masjid proved difficult for Humayun Kabir. Mamta felt that this would unite Hindus and her throne would be shaken. In a hurry he suspended Humayun Kabir from the party. But this action of Mamta has complicated the political equation of West Bengal. For Mamata Banerjee, this situation has become like ‘well in front, ditch behind’. On one side is BJP’s growing Hindutva card, while on the other side is their own party’s core voter Muslim community, who may now see Humayun Kabir’s dismissal as a ‘betrayal’. Will Mamata’s move backfire in the upcoming assembly elections?
Humayun Kabir is not an ordinary MLA. His status in the politics of Murshidabad is that of a mass leader. His career started with Congress, he became a minister, then came to TMC, in between he went to BJP in 2019 and then returned to TMC. Despite changing sides so many times, his personal popularity never diminished, especially in Bharatpur and Rejinagar areas.
His hold among Muslims
Humayun Kabir’s image is that of a leader who is ready to confront his own government on community issues. When he talked about laying the foundation stone of ‘Babri Masjid’ in Murshidabad on 6 December 2025, it was not just a statement. He clearly said, Islamic hospital, rest house, hotel-cum-restaurant, helipad, park and medical college will be built on 25 bigha land… Who can stop Humayun Kabir? I challenge.
His ‘Robin Hood’ style makes him very popular among Muslim youth and rural voters. Her supporters feel that Mamata Didi is suppressing Muslim issues out of fear of Delhi or for Hindu votes, while Humayun Kabir is raising their voice.
Babri Masjid’s stake and Mamta’s compulsion
Mamta Banerjee considers herself the biggest advocate of secularism. But Humayun Kabir’s move became a bone of contention for him. If Mamata Banerjee had allowed Humayun Kabir to build Babri Masjid or any memorial in his name, BJP would have capitalized on it in entire Bengal and the country. BJP would have polarized it by calling it ‘the height of appeasement’ and ‘insult to Hindus’. This is the reason why Mamta’s commander Firhad Hakim immediately held a press conference and suspended Kabir. Hakim argued, we do not do discriminatory politics in the name of religion. Humayun Kabir is helping BJP and trying to set fire to Bengal. Mamta Banerjee also said in her rally without taking name, we are against communal politics, the people of Murshidabad do not want riots.
Experts say that Mamata has taken this step to save the ‘Hindu vote bank’ from slipping. She does not want another label of being ‘anti-Hindu’ to be imposed on her after the incidents of Sandeshkhali or RG Kar.
Will the Muslim vote bank get dispersed?
This is the point where the danger for Mamata Banerjee is greatest. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary has hit the right chord. He said, Mamata Banerjee’s party was saving him for a long time… Now when it felt that the matter was getting out of hand, it adopted the policy of use and throw.
West Bengal has about 30% Muslim population. In Murshidabad, Malda and North Dinajpur this figure goes up to 60-70%. Till now TMC has been getting this vote bank outright. But the suspension of Humayun Kabir can give a message to the Muslim community that Mamata Banerjee is now on the path of ‘soft Hindutva’. BJP is vocal on Ram Temple, but TMC is strangulating its own MLA in the name of Babri. If this narrative gets set on the ground, then TMC may have to suffer huge losses.
What would happen if Kabir formed a separate party?
Political pundits believe that Humayun Kabir is not one to sit quietly. He had already said that he would leave the party the next day. If he contests as an independent or forms his own new party, it will have three major impacts.
- Vote Katwa Role: Kabir has direct influence on 4-5 assembly seats of Murshidabad and can spoil the game of TMC on 10-12 seats in the entire district.
- Sanjeevani to ISF and Congress: If Humayun Kabir forms an alliance with Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui (ISF) and Congress, then this ‘third front’ can wipe out TMC in Murshidabad. Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary is already waiting for the opportunity.
- Benefit to BJP: TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Firhad Hakim are repeatedly saying that Kabir is part of the BJP’s ‘pipeline’. If Muslim votes get divided between TMC and Kabir/Congress, it will directly benefit BJP. Hindu votes can unite and go to BJP. The statement of BJP MP Khagen Murmu shows this confidence. The public has made preparations for the departure of TMC.
Ultimatum of 6th December
The matter is not limited to politics only. A petition has also been filed in the Calcutta High Court against the announcement of Humayun Kabir, in which a demand has been made to ban the foundation stone laying program to be held in Beldanga on 6 December 2025. The petitioner says that Kabir’s statements are inflammatory and can spoil communal harmony. If the administration stops them, Kabir will present it as ‘martyrdom’. They will say that the police and government prevented them from working for the community. This ‘victim card’ will make him more of a hero.
Is this a ‘self goal’ of TMC?
Political analysts believe that Mamata Banerjee suspended Humayun Kabir, but did not expel him. Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary has also taken a dig at the fact that he was suspended earlier and then reinstated. This shows that TMC is still afraid of Kabir’s influence. They don’t want to close the doors completely.
mathematics of loss
If Kabir comes out in rebellion, then there will be a rift in Murshidabad, which had become a stronghold of TMC. TMC had made a clean sweep here in the 2021 elections, but Congress and the Left had registered their presence in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Kabir’s departure would be like laying gunpowder in the fort of TMC. This episode has changed Mamata’s image from a ‘universally accepted leader’ to an ‘insecure leader’ who is failing to handle the voices rising within her own party.
