The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday suspended its party MLA, Humayun Kabir, following his controversial declaration to build a replica of the Babri Masjid in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. The move underscores the party’s attempt to distance itself from remarks that have ignited a political storm ahead of the 2026 state elections.
Last month, Kabir, the MLA from Debra, announced that he would lay the foundation stone for a replica of the Babri Masjid in Beldanga on December 6—the anniversary of the demolition of the original mosque in Ayodhya in 1992. He claimed the structure could be completed within three months. The announcement immediately drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum and raised concerns about communal harmony.
In a statement, the TMC leadership, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stated that Kabir had been warned against making such inflammatory remarks. The party moved swiftly to suspend him, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining social harmony.
“We noticed that one of our MLAs from Murshidabad suddenly declared that he would build the Babri Masjid. Why suddenly Babri Masjid? We already warned him. As per the decision of our party, TMC, we are suspending MLA Humayun Kabir,” said Firhad Hakim, TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor.
Following his suspension, Kabir announced his resignation from the TMC and revealed plans to launch a new political party next month. He declared intentions to contest 135 seats in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.
“I will resign from TMC tomorrow. If required, I will announce a new party on 22nd December,” Kabir stated, signaling a potential new player in the state’s already competitive political landscape.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to capitalize on the incident, accusing the TMC of engaging in vote bank politics and questioning its stance on communal issues. The BJP also alleged that the TMC supports “Bangladeshi infiltrators,” a longstanding point of contention in the region.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) criticized the TMC as well, describing Kabir’s remarks as evidence of the party’s “ideological fluidity” and opportunistic politics.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose intervened in the matter, warning of strict action if Kabir’s statements threatened law and order in the state. The Governor’s statement highlights the sensitivity of the issue and the potential for communal tension.
The suspension reflects the TMC’s efforts to project a secular image and avoid polarizing debates ahead of the 2026 elections. However, the incident has exposed internal discipline challenges and provided ammunition to opponents. Kabir’s planned party launch could further fragment the political scene, especially in minority-dominated regions like Murshidabad.
The TMC’s decisive action against Humayun Kabir underscores the high-stakes nature of West Bengal’s politics, where religious symbolism and electoral strategy often intersect. As the state gears up for another intense electoral battle, maintaining social cohesion while navigating political pressures remains a critical challenge for all parties involved.
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