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Humayun Kabir's AJUP to Contest 182 Bengal Seats, Challenges Mamata Banerjee

Former TMC leader Humayun Kabir has declared his Aam Janata Unnayan Party will contest 182 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The party has formed an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which will contest approximately eight of those seats. Kabir personally plans to run from both the Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies in Murshidabad district. He also issued a direct political challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding her Bhawanipur seat.

Key Points: AJUP to Contest 182 Seats in 2026 Bengal Polls

  • AJUP announces 182-seat fight
  • Alliance includes AIMIM on 8 seats
  • Kabir to contest from two constituencies
  • Direct challenge to Mamata Banerjee
2 min read

Humayun Kabir announces AJUP will contest 182 seats in Bengal Polls

Former TMC leader Humayun Kabir announces his Aam Janata Unnayan Party will contest 182 West Bengal Assembly seats with AIMIM as an alliance partner.

"I think Mamata Banerjee should choose one more seat to contest from. Otherwise, if she loses, then that will be a poor thing. - Humayun Kabir"

Kolkata, March 19

Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder and former All India Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir on Thursday said that his party will contest 182 seats in the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Speaking to ANI, Kabir said, "I had already announced 15 candidates earlier. Now, Humayun Kabir will contest from Raninagar; he is also doing an additional job. Then, another businessman named Humayun Kabir will contest from Bhagwangola. Also, Manisha Pathak Pandey will contest from the 64-Murshidabad seat. So, with the 15 announced earlier and these three now, we have opened a list of 18 candidates today."

"My party, along with the alliance we are in, will contest in 182 seats. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will be a partner and will contest in approximately 8 of those seats," he added.

Asking if there has been any talk with Owaisi (Asaduddin Owaisi) regarding this, to which he replied, "Talks have happened; there is no need to say more for now. Just wait for tomorrow. Their representative, Advocate Adil Hussain, who is the West Bengal observer (for AIMIM), spoke with me yesterday and is coming to meet me tonight for further talks."

Kabir confirmed he will personally contest from both the Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies in Murshidabad while issuing a sharp challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding her own seat in Bhawanipur.

"I, as the Chairman of JOP, am contesting from 70-Rejinagar and 74-Naoda. As for Bhawanipore, I think Mamata Banerjee should choose one more seat to contest from. Otherwise, if she loses, then that will be a poor thing," said Kabir.

Last year, Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended Humayun Kabir over his remarks in which he claimed that he will inaugurate a Babri Masjid in the state's Murshidabad district.

According to Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim, MLA Kabir had been "warned" about his statements previously, and as such, questioning his motives, the party has suspended him.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Contesting from two seats himself? And challenging Didi on her home turf? This seems more like personal ambition than a genuine people's movement. Bengal has seen enough of leaders who jump parties and make tall claims.
A
Adil Hussain
As a political observer from Kolkata, the AIMIM factor is interesting. They have a specific base. If this alliance consolidates a particular vote bank in those 8 seats, it could upset the calculations for both TMC and BJP in key constituencies. A classic case of a small player having a big impact.
P
Priyanka N
His suspension from TMC over the Babri Masjid remark tells you everything. Why do leaders constantly use religious symbolism for politics? We need policies for jobs, education, and women's safety, not these divisive tactics. Very disappointing.
K
Karthik V
"Wait for tomorrow" – typical political suspense building! đŸ˜„ Honestly, unless they have a very clear manifesto for Bengal's youth and farmers, contesting 182 seats is just a number. Hope they talk more about their vision soon.
M
Meera T
As someone from Murshidabad, I welcome more choices. But the candidate list seems thin—announcing 18 out of 182? The groundwork matters. We don't want leaders who are visible only during elections. Prove your commitment first.

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