West Bengal politics heats up, Owaisi and Humayun Kabir finalize seat sharing; setback likely for CM Mamata

Kolkata (The Uttam Hindu): Political activity has intensified in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. An alliance is set to take shape between AIMIM and Humayun Kabir’s party JUP. Asaduddin Owaisi and Humayun Kabir formally announced their electoral alliance during a joint press conference.

During the press meet, Owaisi also targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, raising questions over her politics. He remarked that symbolic gestures like offering Eid prayers do not address the real issues faced by the Muslim community.

Owaisi announced that AIMIM and JUP will contest the elections together and confirmed that a seat-sharing formula between the two parties has already been finalized. Explaining the objective behind the alliance, he said, “Our aim is to bring political leadership from within the minority community in Bengal. This alliance will continue in the future as well.”

He further questioned Mamata Banerjee’s “pro-minority” image and also referred to her role during the Gujarat riots, making sharp remarks during the press conference.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has released its list of candidates for 291 out of 294 assembly seats in West Bengal. For the remaining three hill seats in Darjeeling, its ally Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha will field candidates.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will once again contest from her traditional Bhabanipur seat, where she is expected to face BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Among the 291 candidates announced by TMC, there are 52 women, 95 candidates from SC/ST communities, and 47 representatives from minority communities.

It is worth noting that voting for all 294 assembly seats in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the results will be declared on May 4.