Hyderabad: In a politically charged development ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has snapped ties with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), reshaping the electoral landscape in minority-dominated constituencies.The move follows a controversy triggered by a purported sting video released by the All India Trinamool Congress, allegedly showing Kabir discussing a deal with BJP leaders to manipulate minority votes, and intensifying the battle for Muslim votes in a tightly contested election. AIMIM will now contest 12 assembly seats independently. Owaisi, who was earlier scheduled to campaign jointly with Kabir, has revised his plans and will address at least half a dozen rallies solo from April 12. Decisive roleThe break-up has the potential to alter electoral equations, particularly in constituencies where Muslim voters play a decisive role. The AIMIM-AJUP alliance was expected to consolidate support among Muslims, Dalits and other marginalised sections—an emerging bloc that could have influenced the prospects of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The fallout stems from a video released by the TMC, purportedly showing Kabir claiming that he planned, allegedly at the behest of BJP leaders, to engineer a split in Muslim votes—traditionally consolidated behind chief minister Mamata Banerjee in previous elections. Announcing its decision on X, AIMIM said Kabir’s remarks raised serious concerns. “As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with Kabir’s party. Bengal’s Muslims are one of the poorest, neglected and oppressed communities. Despite decades of secular rule, nothing has been done for them. AIMIM’s policy in contesting elections in any state is so that the marginalised communities have an independent political voice. We will be contesting the Bengal elections independently and will have no alliance with any party going forward,” the party stated. AI-generated: KabirWhile Kabir dismissed the video as AI-generated, and the BJP suggested it could be an attempt to malign its leadership, AIMIM leaders said the decision followed internal consultations. AIMIM spokesperson Adil Hussain maintained that the party would stand by its commitment to represent marginalised communities and preferred to go solo amid the controversy. He said they have spoken to both Kabir and their top leaders and informed them of the decision of the AIMIM to withdraw from the alliance. “Let the ECI or any other investigation agency probe the allegations. It is being said that the sting operation video is from Dec,” he said.With polling scheduled in two phases—April 23 and April 29—the collapse of this alliance adds a fresh layer of uncertainty, potentially fragmenting votes and sharpening the contest across key constituencies. GFXAIMIM candidates for phase-I election in West Bengal: Assembly seat and candidate name:1. Raghunathganj: Imran Solanki.2. Asansol Uttar: Danish Aziz.3. Kandi: Misbahul Islam Khan.4. Sujapur: Rejaut Karim.5. Mothabari: Adv Mohd Mostahid Haque.6. Nalhati: Haji Ansar Sk.7. Morari: Tasir Sk.8. Barasat: Monaem Sardar.9. Karandighi: Mehbub Alam.10. Suti: Asadul Sk.11. Basirhat South: Shabana Parvin.12. Habra: Asik Raj Mmondal.
