In a significant political development, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday suspended its legislator, Humayun Kabir, from the party. The action came after the Bharatpur MLA publicly declared his intention to lay the foundation for a mosque in Murshidabad on December 6, drawing parallels to the Babri Masjid controversy.
The Provocative Announcement and Swift Action
The suspension was formally announced by Kolkata mayor and senior TMC minister Firhad Hakim, who stated that the decision had the approval of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Hakim emphasized that while anyone is free to build a mosque, the party would not tolerate any form of communal provocation, especially ahead of the crucial assembly elections due next year in West Bengal.
Kabir was informed of his suspension when he arrived to attend a rally addressed by CM Mamata Banerjee in Berhampore. At the event, without directly naming the MLA, Banerjee expressed her anguish using a metaphor. She stated that if one grain of rice rots, it must be removed to save the rest, adding that Hindus and Muslims must live in unity in the state.
Defiant MLA Plans New Political Venture
Despite the disciplinary action, Humayun Kabir remained defiant and called his suspension a "deliberate humiliation." He declared that he would proceed with his plan to lay the mosque foundation in Beldanga, Murshidabad, on December 6—the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition—even if it led to his arrest or death.
Going a step further, the belligerent MLA announced his resignation as the Bharatpur MLA and revealed plans to float his own political party by December 22. He claimed his new party would contest in 135 out of the 294 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections.
A History of Shifting Allegiances
Kabir's political journey has seen him move between the Congress, the TMC, and the BJP before eventually returning to the state's governing party. Within TMC circles, he is often viewed as a "loose cannon" due to his unpredictable statements and actions. The latest episode underscores the challenges political parties face in maintaining discipline and a cohesive public message, particularly on sensitive communal issues in the charged political landscape of Bengal.
The suspension highlights the TMC's attempt to project a strong stance against communal politics as it prepares for the electoral battle. The party's leadership has stressed its commitment to peace and unity, aiming to distance itself from any rhetoric that could polarize the electorate.
