Humayun Kabir names ex-cop and his relative Abul Hasan JUP's Ballygunge candidate

Less than 24 hours after dropping Nisha Chatterjee as the candidate for the Ballygunge constituency, Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) founder Humayun Kabir has named retired police officer Abul Hasan as her replacement. Kabir had earlier removed Chatterjee, citing that her social media presence and certain videos did not align with the image and values of his newly formed political outfit. The decision to bring in a former law enforcement officer is seen as an attempt to stabilize the party's reputation before the 2026 Assembly polls.

Abul Hasan, a resident of Beckbagan with roots in Rajnagar, is a close relative of Humayun Kabir. While Kabir described him as his mother’s first cousin, Hasan himself admitted to reporters that he is not a seasoned politician and spent his entire career in the police force. Hasan revealed that he was hesitant initially due to family concerns, but ultimately agreed to contest after Kabir insisted on his candidacy, promising to take personal responsibility for the campaign and its outcome.

The internal shift within the JUP highlights the volatility of the new party as it prepares for a high-stakes election. Humayun Kabir, who was suspended from the Trinamool Congress on December 4, has been vocal about his ambition to field candidates in over 100 constituencies across West Bengal. By selecting a retired professional like Hasan, Kabir aims to appeal to a broader demographic in the cosmopolitan Ballygunge area while distancing the party from social media controversies.