Viral video prompts AIMIM to end alliance with Humayun Kabir's AJUP ahead of Bengal polls
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The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has ended its alliance with suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and will contest West Bengal's Assembly elections independently.
The decision, announced on Friday, followed a TMC press conference alleging Kabir demanded Rs 1,000 crore from the BJP to topple Mamata Banerjee's government—a claim backed by a viral social media video. Just nine days prior, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Kabir had held a joint rally in Murshidabad, pledging to extend their partnership beyond the state polls into the 2026 Lok Sabha elections.
In the controversial clip, Kabir is heard allegedly plotting Banerjee's defeat with BJP support. AIMIM posted on X: “Humayun Kabir’s revelations have shown how vulnerable Bengal’s Muslims are…AIMIM cannot associate with any statements where integrity of Muslims is brought into question.”
The party added: “As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with Kabir’s party. Bengal’s Muslims are one of the poorest, neglected and oppressed communities. Despite decades of secular rule, nothing has been done for them. AIMIM’s policy in contesting elections in any state is so that the marginalised communities have an independent political voice.” It confirmed: “We will be contesting the Bengal elections INDEPENDENTLY and will have no alliance with any party going forward.”
Kabir hit back: “Is the Prime Minister of India really such a weak figure that he would hand over Rs 1,000 crore to Humayun Kabir? Do you take everyone for a fool?” He accused Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee of losing their minds, insisting he had not.
AIMIM Bengal president Imran Solanki told The Indian Express: “Our party has taken a decision to break off the alliance with Humayun Kabir’s AJUP. Now we will fight alone in Bengal and win. We have given candidates in nine seats in the first phase and two seats in the second phase.” The party has fielded candidates on nine seats in the first phase (23 April)—Raghunathganj, Kandi, Lalgola, Suti, Nalhati, Muraroi, Sujapur, Mothabari and Asansol Uttar—and two in the second phase (29 April): Bashirhat Uttar and Habra.
A planned joint rally in Bhagabangola, Murshidabad, on Saturday was cancelled. “There is no question of a joint rally now. We will campaign on our own and win seats. Our chief Asaduddin Owaisi will visit Bengal and campaign for our party,” Solanki said. AIMIM contested six seats in 2021 but lost them all.