Kolkata, 04 December (H.S.) : Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir amid growing controversy over his announcement to build a Babri mosque in Murshidabad. The decision was declared in Kolkata by Urban Development Minister and Mayor Firhad Hakim, in the presence of senior Murshidabad leaders Akhruzzaman and Niamat Sheikh, both of whom supported the action.

Kabir, however, claimed he had not received any official suspension letter. “I will not comment without confirmation. Let the right time come, and I will speak,” he said, adding that he would resign as MLA next week.

Babri Mosque Remark Triggered the Showdown

Kabir had sparked a political storm by announcing plans to construct a Babri mosque at Beldanga on 6 December. The party viewed the statement as an attempt to provoke communal sentiment. Hakim said the issue was not mosque construction but the timing and intention, which could disturb communal harmony.

Suspension Announced While Kabir Was at Mamata’s Rally

In a dramatic twist, Kabir was attending Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rally in Behrampore when news of his suspension reached him. He immediately walked out of the venue.

He later declared, “I will announce my new party on 22 December. I will field candidates in 135 seats. I will show both TMC and BJP what Humayun Kabir is capable of.”

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A Career Marked by Frequent Shifts and Controversies

This is not Kabir’s first suspension. He was expelled from TMC in 2015 for six years, contested independently in 2016 and lost, joined Congress, later switched to BJP in 2019, and finally returned to TMC ahead of the 2021 elections, winning from Bharatpur.

Even after becoming MLA, he repeatedly faced disciplinary warnings for controversial remarks. With elections approaching, senior TMC leaders felt his behaviour could benefit the BJP, prompting his expulsion.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh