Bengal Polls: Owaisi's AIMIM Ends Alliance With Humayun Kabir Over Controversial Video

In a significant political development ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced the termination of its alliance with Humayun Kabir's Aam Janta Unnayan Party, while the party confirmed that it will no longer maintain any electoral understanding with Kabir's outfit and will contest the remaining phases of the election independently.

The ₹1000 Crore Video Controversy

The split was triggered by a controversial video released by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which allegedly showed Humayun Kabir discussing a ₹1000 crore deal. In the footage, Kabir was purportedly heard making disparaging remarks about the Muslim community, suggesting they're easy to manipulate. While Kabir has vehemently denied the authenticity of the video, claiming it to be a fake and AI-generated product, the controversy has caused a major rift in the alliance.

Official Statement from AIMIM

According to a post on the official X handle of AIMIM, the party stated that it can't associate itself with any individual or statement that compromises the dignity of the Muslim community. The party highlighted that Muslims in Bengal remain among the most marginalized and neglected groups despite decades of secular governance. AIMIM emphasized that its primary objective is to provide an independent political voice for marginalized sections, leading to the immediate dissolution of the alliance.

Shift to Independent Campaign Strategy

Following the breakdown of the alliance, AIMIM has declared its intent to fight the West Bengal elections on its own. The party leadership clarified that there will be no further tie-ups with any other political parties in the state for this election cycle. This decision marks a shift from the earlier strategy where the alliance was projected as a formidable third alternative for voters who felt alienated from mainstream political parties.

Background of the Alliance

' At the time, the partnership was expected to consolidate votes in specific pockets of the state. However, following the video leak on April 9 and the subsequent cancellation of Owaisi's scheduled visit to Bengal, the political dynamics have shifted, leaving both parties to navigate the electoral landscape separately.