Owaisi, Kabir seal poll pact, eye shift in minority vote math
Times of India | 26 March 2026
Kolkata: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir on Wednesday formally announced their alliance for the assembly elections, announcing they have nearly finalised seat-sharing details and would jointly address at least 20 rallies across the state before polling, with their campaign set to begin on April 1 in Beharampore.
Addressing a joint press conference in Kolkata, Kabir said the two parties will be contesting on the single poll symbol of whistle. "He is like my elder brother. We will contest elections together," said Kabir, adding that both sides would soon announce their candidates.
The duo said they would go on to campaign in Murshidabad, Malda, parts of north Bengal, Birbhum, Uttar Dinajpur, Asansol and Kolkata.
"Offering dua during Eid prayers is not going to put food on my plate, light up my house and provide for my child's education. Trinamool has taken Muslim votes but has done nothing for them on the ground," said Owaisi indirectly commenting on chief minister Mamata Banerjee's visit to Red Road during Eid prayers.
"Muslims constitute nearly 30 per cent of the population here. What is their representation in govt employment? Only 7 per cent. How many Muslim children are outside school? How many Muslim boys and girls are unable to complete graduation? Nearly 5 lakh OBC certificates were cancelled. Among those, many belonged to Muslims. The biggest issue in Bengal is Muslim empowerment. We will fight the election on that issue. Every govt data, survey and statistics points that states where there is no Muslim leadership, all lifestyle indicators are bad for Muslims," said Owaisi.
He said the alliance would not settle for symbolic power-sharing and would "stake claim to the chair of the chief minister". "Here I would disagree with Humayun bhai over the deputy CM's post, which is as useless as the sixth finger. We will stake claim to the CM's chair," he added.