KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress on Thursday released a video in which a man resembling Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir, who was with Bengal’s governing party till he was suspended last year, is heard seeking Rs 1,000 crore from BJP in exchange of support after the assembly elections and saying Muslim voters have to be “misled” to achieve the desired poll outcome.The 19-minute video, titled ‘The Reality of HK’ and uploaded on YouTube channel Masadur Rahman, which was created on Wednesday, features a conversation between the man and an individual whose face is not visible. The man is heard discussing seat projections, financial demands and a strategy to influence Muslim voters. The authenticity of the video, which TMC said was recorded on Dec 19 last year, could not be independently verified.
Video ‘shows’ Kabir seeking Rs 1,000cr from BJP
Kabir denied the allegations, saying the video was created using AI. He accused TMC of orchestrating a conspiracy to discredit him. “If they have proof of any meeting or nexus with BJP, let them show it. If proven, I will accept it. Otherwise, I will file cases,” the MLA said, naming several TMC netas he intends to take legal action against.In the video, the man resembling Kabir said BJP could win between 100 and 120 of the 294 assembly seats. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, he said, agreed with his assessment.“We’ll be the kingmaker if our party wins 70-80 seats and I can be deputy chief minister,” the man said. He said he would extend “full support” to BJP to prevent TMC from returning to office.Kabir’s party has entered into an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and has fielded candidates in over 100 assembly seats.The man in the video is heard demanding Rs 1,000 crore from BJP, including an advance of Rs 200 crore, which he said would be distributed among voters.Drawing a parallel with electoral practices in Bihar, the man resembling Kabir said significant funds would be required to mobilise support. “To bring Muslim voters to my side, I have to spend Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore per constituency,” he said, adding Muslim voters “are easy to manipulate” and have to be “misled” to achieve the intended electoral outcome.The conversation touches upon Kabir’s earlier call to construct a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad’s Beldanga — an issue that had led to his suspension from TMC last year. In the video, the speaker said the announcement was aimed at consolidating Muslims support.TMC seized upon the footage to allege a “secret understanding” between Kabir and BJP, accusing the saffron party of attempting to split minority votes through proxy players. Addressing a press conference, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh demanded a probe, raising questions about the individuals named in the video, including an alleged contact in the Prime Minister’s Office. “ED must send a notice to Humayun Kabir and summon him. The names of all those who are involved, especially officers in the PMO, must be made public,” he said.Kolkata mayor and state minister Firhad Hakim described the contents of the video as “shameful”, accusing political actors of exploiting religious sentiments for electoral gains. “Are we, Muslims, brainless? Why do such people get the courage to play with our sentiments?” he asked, warning against attempts to manipulate voters along communal lines.Minister Aroop Biswas echoed the charge, alleging that BJP has resorted to “creating B and C teams” to divide votes.BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar questioned: “Why is the face of the other person not shown? Unless we know who is questioning, we won’t comment.”On being asked about the TMC allegations, an Election Commission official said, “We have not received any complaint. Upon getting a complaint, we will give that to the police for investigation.”The controversy has revived memories of sting operations before earlier polls in the state. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, TMC had released a video purportedly showing a BJP functionary in Sandeshkhali admitting that no rapes had taken place there and women were persuaded to file complaints at the directions of BJP. In the run up to the 2016 assembly elections, BJP had played a video released by news portal Narada, in which men resembling TMC politicians were seen accepting money.
