Kolkata, 07 October (H.S.) : With polling concluded and counting slated for October 9, Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief and Naoda MLA Humayun Kabir made an emotional statement on Wednesday, conceding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to secure a sweeping victory in the Rejinagar assembly by-election. Visibly tearful, Kabir squarely blamed the local police administration for the outcome, alleging widespread malpractice and administrative overreach.

Expressing deep disillusionment, Kabir announced that he would not enter the state assembly as long as Suvendu Adhikari remains Chief Minister, stating that he would tender an apology to the voters of Naoda. He also indicated that he is prepared to take voluntary retirement from active politics if his constituents agree.

Levelling serious allegations against law enforcement, Kabir said, Even the chief of a political party is not safe inside his own party office. He claimed that police personnel physically manhandled him, dragged him out of the party office, and enabled widespread rigging, leaving him entirely disillusioned with the current democratic framework.

The high-stakes by-elections across Nandigram and Rejinagar were held on Tuesday. Kabir had won both Naoda and Rejinagar in the previous assembly elections before vacating the Rejinagar seat as per statutory rules to field his son as the candidate in this bypoll.

Tensions flared on polling day after allegations surfaced that Kabir had used abusive language against police personnel, incited voters, and made derogatory remarks targeting the Chief Minister.

Following the altercation, police detained him for nearly 12 hours before releasing him.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Kabir launched a scathing attack on the administration. He stated that in a system where a police sub-inspector can detain an elected legislator for 12 hours without concrete justification, he refuses to engage with such governance. He further alleged that the administration had harassed the people of Rejinagar over the past two months and maintained that he would not pursue politics under the Chief Minister's dispensation.

Clarifying his immediate political stance, Kabir affirmed that while he will continue to serve the people of Naoda who elected him, he will boycott all legislative proceedings. He stated that he will not attend meetings of the Minority Affairs Committee, House Committee, Business Advisory Committee, or all-party sessions convened by the Speaker, leaving seat number 88 in the Assembly vacant. Kabir concluded by saying that he will consult the electorate in Naoda and step down from both his legislative seat and active politics if they grant permission.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh