Asaduddin Owaisi: Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls 2026, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) have joined hands. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi announced that his party would enter into a political coalition with AJUP, indicating a new grouping of West Bengal’s minority forces. The move came at a time when Trinamool Congress (TMC) is preparing to defend its stronghold amid a resurgent National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Who is Humayun Kabir?
Kabir, a former Trinamool Congress MLA, has gained immense popularity in Central Bengal, especially in the Murshidabad district, over his calls to construct a Babri Masjid styled mosque. In December 2025, Kabir floated his outfit after he was expelled by Mamata Banerjee from Trinamool Congress. Kabir accused Banerjee of doing injustice to the minority community on several counts.
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Asaduddin Owaisi Cites Oppression
Owaisi remarked that more than 5 lakh backward category certificates have been cancelled in the state of West Bengal alone, and a big majority of them belonged to the Muslim community. Citing oppression, Owaisi commented that NDA secures votes in the fictitious name of secularism. Owaisi would hold a press conference with Kabir in Kolkata on March 25.
Previously, Kabir had remarked that his party would be contesting 182 seats in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls 2026.
Would This Dent Mamata Banerjee And TMC’s Vote Share?
The alliance between AJUP and AIMIM is closely watched by several political analysts as it may significantly influence voter behaviour in key constituencies, particularly those with significant Muslim populations. A politically sensitive state, West Bengal is one of the few states in India where minority votes could play a crucial role in determining electoral outcomes.
The alliance is likely to focus heavily on constituencies in districts like Murshidabad, Malda and parts of North Dinajpur, where Muslim voters form a substantial portion of the electorate. Traditionally, these regions have long supported the TMC but the emergence a credible alternative in the form of an AIMIM-AJUP alliance could split the vote, potentially benefiting rival parties, including the BJP-led NDA.
