Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir on Thursday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of bribing several of his party candidates to weaken his electoral presence, even as he faced protests while casting his vote in Murshidabad district.
Kabir, who is also an MLA from Bharatpur, alleged that a significant number of his candidates were lured with money to withdraw from the contest. “We had initially fielded 142 candidates, but now we are contesting only 115 seats. Around 27 candidates were ‘purchased’ with amounts ranging from ₹9 lakh to ₹30 lakh,” he claimed.
Tension at Polling Booth, ‘Go Back’ Slogans Raised
The situation turned tense when Kabir arrived at a polling booth in Shibnagar village under the Naoda Assembly constituency. Supporters of the Trinamool Congress reportedly gathered at the spot, raised “go back” slogans, and accused him of being a “BJP agent.”
The protesters, led by local TMC leaders, surrounded Kabir’s vehicle, leading to a brief standoff. Officials said security personnel were present in the area to prevent escalation.
Kabir was previously associated with the Trinamool Congress but was suspended in December last year following controversial remarks. He later formed his own party, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party.
Allegations of Assault and Political Pressure
Meanwhile, AJUP workers alleged that one of their booth-level leaders was assaulted at his residence by ruling party supporters. According to officials, central forces deployed in the area intervened and brought the situation under control.
Kabir also accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of engaging in “large-scale political inducements” and claimed that such tactics were being used to influence the election outcome.
In a separate remark, he alleged that the Trinamool Congress was pursuing policies of “appeasement,” adding another layer to the ongoing political confrontation in the state.
‘Results Will Reveal the Reality’
Commenting on the broader political scenario, Kabir refrained from making a direct prediction but hinted at a shift in the political landscape. “Once the results are out on May 4, you will see the political reality unfold,” he said.
The allegations come amid a high-stakes election in West Bengal, where tensions between political parties remain high, and accusations of intimidation, inducement, and violence continue to surface from multiple sides.
