Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir was on Thursday suspended from the Trinamul Congress, shortly after he publicly reiterated his controversial announcement on constructing a Babri Masjid structure in Beldanga on 6 December.
Hours after the suspension, the outspoken Murshidabad leader declared that he would launch a new political outfit on 22 December and field candidates in “135 Assembly seats”. The suspension was announced at a Press conference at Trinamul Bhavan by Kolkata Mayor and urban development minister Firhad Hakim, who was flanked by Murshidabad leaders—minister of state for power Akhruzzaman and Hariharpara MLA Niamat Sheikh. Calling the disciplinary action “appropriate”, the district leaders asserted that Kabir’s remarks had crossed the line of political responsibility. Hakim said the party “cannot accept any attempt to provoke communal sentiments under the pretext of religious construction”. “Anyone may build a mosque, but there must be no communal instigation. I myself am a mutawalli of a mosque in Chetla. Yet, religion has never been used to inflame passions. Humayun’s statements, if left unchecked, could disturb Bengal’s social harmony,” he added.
Kabir, however, claimed he had not received any suspension letter. Speaking shortly after leaving Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s meeting venue in Baharampur—where he learnt about the disciplinary action—Kabir accused the party of “conspiracy”. He said he would resign as MLA “either on Friday or Monday” and that the 6 December Beldanga programme would remain unchanged. This is not the MLA’s first fallout with the ruling party.
Kabir was suspended for six years in 2015, contested as an Independent from Raghunathganj in 2016 and lost, later moved to the Congress, then joined the BJP in 2019 and contested the Murshidabad Lok Sabha seat. Ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, he rejoined the Trinamul and won from Bharatpur. His recurrent controversial comments repeatedly invited showcause notices, though he had earlier apologised and returned to the party fold. With elections inching closer, the Trinamul leadership this time chose not to take risks. Hakim said Kabir’s stance would “only strengthen the BJP”, making his removal inevitable.