West Bengal politics is witnessing a major shift as a political battle over the Muslim vote bank has emerged after decades, posing a serious challenge for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The development gained momentum after suspended TMC विधायक Humayun Kabir launched a new party, Janta Unnayan Party, following the foundation-laying of a Babri Mosque-related initiative in Murshidabad.
After forming his party, Kabir reached out to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Indian Secular Front (ISF) leader Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui to explore a possible alliance. AIMIM has reportedly shown a positive response, while discussions with Siddiqui—who earlier aligned with Congress and Left parties—are ongoing. Muslims constitute nearly 30 percent of West Bengal’s population, and their voting preference has historically shaped the state’s political power.
In the past, Muslim voters shifted from Congress to the Left, and later supported the Trinamool Congress, bringing Mamata Banerjee to power. However, the emergence of a new political front could fragment this vote bank. Owaisi’s influence in Malda and North-South Dinajpur, Siddiqui’s stronghold in South Bengal, and Kabir’s base in Murshidabad together could dent TMC’s support significantly. This potential split may indirectly benefit the BJP, which has long aspired to capture power in the state.
