Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief and MLA Humayun Kabir was briefly detained by Rejinagar Police on Tuesday after a heated exchange with police personnel at his party office in Murshidabad district, where polling was underway for the Assembly bypoll.
Kabir was detained shortly after casting his vote with his family. He had been criticising the police since the morning, alleging interference in the election process and excessive deployment of security personnel near his residence and polling booths.
Kabir Accuses Police of Partisanship
According to reports, police reached the AJUP office after Kabir continued making allegations against the force.
A heated argument followed between Kabir and the police personnel. The MLA accused the police of “dalali”, alleging that they were acting in a partisan manner. He also claimed that 64 people associated with his party had been detained over the past two months.
The confrontation later escalated into a scuffle. Videos circulating online show police personnel pulling Kabir by his shirt and taking him towards a police vehicle.
While being taken away, Kabir said he did not know whether he was being arrested or detained.
Earlier, after casting his vote, Kabir told reporters, “They are scared before the elections and are attacking the common people with the help of the police. They have arrested 64 supporters of our party, yet they are not satisfied.”
He also alleged that AJUP polling agents were being prevented from sitting at some booths in Rejinagar.
“Despite doing so much, the BJP will not get the votes. The more they attack, the fewer votes will be,” Kabir said, adding that the Election Commission and police would have to ensure peaceful polling.
Rejinagar Bypoll
The Rejinagar Assembly seat fell vacant after Kabir, who won both Rejinagar and Nowda in the 2026 Assembly election, chose to retain Nowda and resigned from Rejinagar.
The AJUP has fielded Kabir’s son, Golam Nabi Azad, from the constituency.
The contest also includes BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar, TMC candidates Rabiul Alam Chowdhury and Safiuzzaman Sheikh, Congress nominee Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi and CPI(M)’s Syed Asad Ali.
Polling is also being held in the Nandigram Assembly constituency.
Rejinagar has around 2.57 lakh registered voters and 315 polling stations, while Nandigram has around 2.67 lakh voters and 323 polling stations. Webcasting has been arranged at all polling booths in both constituencies.
Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9, with the Election Commission expected to complete the entire election process by October 11.
