Bengal Polls
Sting video fallout: AIMIM snaps electoral ties with Humayun Kabir in Bengal
Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal politician Humayun Kabir has suffered a major political setback after the release of a sting video by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), prompting the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (Asaduddin Owaisi)-led AIMIM to end its alliance with his party, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP).
Kabir, who was earlier suspended from the ruling TMC, had floated his own outfit and later entered into an alliance with AIMIM ahead of the upcoming West Bengal elections.
Owaisi withdraws support
In a post on X, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi announced that the party would no longer align with AJUP following the sting video controversy involving Kabir.
Owaisi said AIMIM cannot associate with any political narrative that raises questions about the integrity or interests of Muslim communities.
He further stated that AIMIM would contest the West Bengal elections independently, without any alliance.
Owaisi said, "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," he added.
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 As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with Kabir’s party.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…
— AIMIM (@aimim_national) April 10, 2026
Allegations in sting video
The sting footage, released by senior Trinamool Congress leaders, allegedly shows Humayun Kabir claiming links with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and referring to a ₹1,000 crore deal aimed at defeating the ruling party in Bengal.
Kabir was also purportedly heard making controversial remarks about misleading Muslim voters. The video has not been independently verified.
TMC leader Firhad Hakim demanded an Enforcement Directorate probe, calling Kabir’s alleged actions a betrayal of Muslim interests.
Hakim said, "All those who were still supporting him, it is time for you to understand the kind of person Humayun Kabir is. He conspired to sell Muslim self-respect to the BJP. We condemn this."
Kabir’s response
Kabir dismissed the allegations, calling the video AI-generated and politically motivated.
He also said the collapse of the AIMIM alliance would not impact his party’s electoral prospects, claiming AJUP was built on his own political strength.
"The video will have no impact on my prospect. I built my party on my own strength," said Kabir.
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