Suspended TMC MLA Admits Video Authenticity, Claims Selective Editing in Political Sting Operation
Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir has publicly acknowledged that a video released by his own party is authentic. The controversial footage purportedly shows him seeking a staggering Rs 1,000 crore from the Bharatiya Janata Party while making derogatory remarks about Muslims, calling them "gullible." However, Kabir has launched a fierce counterattack, alleging that the video was selectively edited from a much longer 51-minute recording, a claim that has injected fresh volatility into West Bengal's political landscape ahead of crucial state elections.
MLA Alleges Orchestrated Sting and Selective Editing
"The video is true, but only 19 minutes of a 51-minute conversation have been shown to the public," Kabir stated emphatically. He elaborated that the full context of the discussion is missing, asserting he possesses the complete recording to substantiate his defense. The MLA identified the individuals in the conversation as two men: one claiming to be a sadhu from Siliguri and the other presenting himself as a journalist from Delhi.
Kabir leveled serious accusations against TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, alleging he masterminded a sophisticated sting operation. According to Kabir, Banerjee dispatched a man "disguised as a maharaj" alongside a Delhi-based journalist to deliberately entrap him. The recording, he claims, took place at his Berhampore residence on December 19, 2025.
"I will identify them and take decisive legal action. I have six lawyers prepared and ready to fight this case," Kabir declared, signaling an impending legal battle. He further stressed a critical point of his defense: "There is absolutely no footage in any recording showing me meeting with any BJP member—not Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not Home Minister Amit Shah, not anyone from the party." The 19-minute clip, provocatively titled 'The Reality of HK', has not undergone any independent verification by third-party media or forensic experts.
TMC Seizes Admission as Political Ammunition Against BJP
The Trinamool Congress wasted no time in leveraging Kabir's admission to mount a fierce offensive against the BJP. A senior TMC functionary pointedly questioned, "When Humayun Kabir himself has explicitly stated the video is real, why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously dismiss it as AI-generated?" This reference targets Modi's recent comments accusing the TMC of circulating artificially manipulated clips.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee amplified the attack during a spirited rally in Bankura's Onda. "You are all witnessing how a Rs 1,000 crore deal has been orchestrated to divide Hindus and Muslims in our state. The person in the video is now admitting it is real—how will this scandal be covered up now?" she demanded, framing the issue as a blatant attempt at communal polarization and financial corruption.
Political Fallout: AIMIM Severs Alliance Immediately
The controversy has already triggered significant political realignments and casualties. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) acted swiftly, severing its fledgling alliance with Kabir's political outfit, the All India United People's Front (AIUPF), within a single day of the video surfacing publicly.
In a terse statement, AIMIM leadership declared, "We cannot and will not associate with any individual or statements where the integrity and dignity of Muslims are questioned." The party announced it would now contest the upcoming Bengal elections independently, marking a sharp reversal from the coalition announced just weeks prior. That original alliance had envisioned the AIUPF contesting 182 of Bengal's 294 assembly seats, with AIMIM focusing on 17 constituencies.
This episode underscores the intensely charged atmosphere in West Bengal politics, where digital media, allegations of entrapment, and claims of selective editing are becoming potent weapons. The admission of video authenticity by a key figure, coupled with claims of manipulative editing, sets the stage for a protracted legal and political confrontation as election preparations intensify.
