Fresh setback for Humayun Kabir as 300 members join TMC in Mamata’s presence

In a significant political development ahead of the Assembly elections, Humayun Kabir’s Amjanata Unnayan Party suffered another setback as around 300 workers and supporters, including a key district leader, joined the Trinamool Congress on Monday. The mass defection took place during a public meeting in Purbasthali in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlighting growing cracks within the newly formed party.

Among those who switched sides was Pankaj Gangopadhyay, the East Burdwan district president of the Amjanata Unnayan Party. The defectors were formally inducted into the TMC by district president Rabindranath Chatterjee, along with ministers Swapan Debnath and Siddiqullah Chowdhury, who handed over party flags during the event.

The development comes at a critical time for Humayun Kabir, who had launched his party after being expelled from the TMC over allegations of anti-party activities and religion-based politics. Positioning himself as a challenger to the ruling party, he had announced candidates in 182 seats for the upcoming elections. However, repeated defections have raised serious concerns about the party’s organisational strength and electoral prospects.

Since its formation, the Amjanata Unnayan Party has struggled to build stable alliances. Attempts to align with opposition parties such as ISF and CPI(M) did not materialise, with only limited support coming from AIMIM. The latest defection in East Burdwan further underlines the mounting pressure on Humayun Kabir, as internal divisions continue to weaken his political footing ahead of the polls.