Humayun Kabir says he 'will become Bengal CM with BJP's support'

Humayun Kabir, the founder of the newly formed Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), has publicly declared his ambition to become the next Chief Minister. Speaking from his office in Rejinagar, the suspended Trinamool Congress MLA asserted that his party would emerge as a significant force, aiming to win between 100 and 110 seats. Most notably, Kabir expressed an open willingness to accept support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a government, stating he would have "no objection" if such an alliance helped him secure the CM's chair.

The Bharatpur MLA further theorized that if the BJP wins approximately 99 seats, he would expect them to back his claim for the leadership. These comments have triggered a massive political row in West Bengal, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) labeling him as a "puppet" and the "B-team" of the saffron camp. TMC leaders accused Kabir of following the instructions of the BJP to divide the secular vote bank, particularly in the minority-dominated districts of Murshidabad and Malda where he holds considerable influence.

The controversy marks a sharp turn in Kabir's political trajectory, who was suspended from the TMC in late 2025 following a row over his proposal to build a Babri Masjid-style mosque in Murshidabad. While he previously invited the Left and Congress for a secular front, his latest remarks suggest a more pragmatic, or perhaps opportunistic, approach toward the BJP. Political analysts view this as a strategic move to position himself as a "kingmaker" in what is expected to be a high-stakes three-way or four-way battle for the state assembly.