‘Bring forward the person’: Humayun Kabir dares TMC as ‘sting video’ row blows up in West Bengal
The Statesman | 11 April 2026
Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir on Friday brushed aside allegations linked to a video released by the Trinamool Congress, insisting there is no truth in the claims and calling them politically motivated.
The controversy comes at a crucial time, with Assembly elections approaching and political tensions already high. What began as a video release has quickly turned into a wider political clash, drawing in multiple parties and leading to an alliance collapse.
Kabir, reacting to the video, challenged senior Trinamool leader Firhad Hakim to prove the claims. “….I challenge Bobby Hakim (Firhad Hakim) to bring forward the person shown in the video, the one with whom I am seen sitting and discussing money…I have no dealings with anyone. I came into life bare-handed and will leave the world this way. AIMIM broke the alliance, ask them why they did so, don’t ask me,” he said.
The row began on Thursday when the Trinamool Congress released a video it claimed showed Kabir in a conversation hinting at links with political figures. The party also demanded an Enforcement Directorate probe into the matter.
The clip set off a sharp political reaction across the state, escalating into a broader confrontation as parties traded charges.
Soon after the video surfaced, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, announced that it was ending its alliance with Kabir’s party.
In a post on X, AIMIM said the decision followed a review of the controversy and raised concerns about the alliance. The party stated that Kabir’s remarks had put the integrity of Muslims into question and made it clear that it would now contest the Bengal elections independently.
“Humayun Kabir’s revelations have shown how vulnerable Bengal’s Muslims are. That AIMIM cannot associate with any statements where integrity of Muslims is brought into question. As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with Kabir’s party.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. We will be contesting the Bengal elections INDEPENDENTLY and will have no alliance with any party going forward,” the party said.
With accusations flying, alliances shifting, and elections drawing closer, the episode has added a fresh layer of uncertainty to West Bengal’s already volatile political landscape.