West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Mamata Banerjee Getting Durga Temple Built on Land Owned by Muslims? What Humayun Kabir said?
West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: A New ‘Temple vs. Land’ Controversy; Humayun Kabir Launches Sharp Attack on Mamata Banerjee.
Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal, the political atmosphere has heated up rapidly. Amidst a flurry of allegations and counter-allegations, new alliances, and grand electoral promises, state politics now appears to be revolving around a fresh controversy: the issue of "constructing temples on land belonging to Muslims." This debate has been fueled by Humayun Kabir, chief of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), who has leveled serious allegations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Allegations of ‘Appeasement’ Against the Mamata Govt
Humayun Kabir has alleged that while Mamata Banerjee rose to power by securing the votes of the Muslim community, she is now prioritizing temple construction in an effort to woo Hindu voters. He claims that a Durga temple is currently being built on land owned by Muslims in the Rajarhat area—an act he characterizes as an injustice against a specific community.
Kabir asserted that if the government is capable of working for the welfare of Hindus, he, too, will openly engage in politics to champion the interests of the Muslim community. Terming this a "double standard," he raised the question of whether politics is being conducted by conflating development with religious identity.
Kabir Rises to Prominence Through ‘Babri’ Controversy
Humayun Kabir was formerly a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) but was expelled from the party following a controversial statement. He had proposed building a mosque in Murshidabad modeled after the Babri Masjid, a suggestion that immediately triggered a political firestorm. Subsequently, he founded his new party, the AJUP, and is now striving to establish himself as a distinct leader representing the Muslim community.
Alliance with Owaisi: A New Strategy
With an eye on the 2026 elections, Kabir has forged an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, the AIMIM. This alliance introduces a new dynamic into the state's political landscape, particularly regarding the Muslim vote bank. Owaisi has described this alliance as a major step towards "independent Muslim leadership." He characterized this alliance not merely as an electoral strategy, but as a long-term political mission.
A Major Electoral Promise for Women
The Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) has made a bold move right as it entered the electoral fray. Humayun Kabir has pledged to provide women with Rs 3,500 per month—an amount more than double that offered under the Mamata government's 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme.
Under the Mamata government's initiative, women receive financial assistance ranging from Rs 1,000 to 1,500. Terming the current provision "inadequate," Kabir stated that if his party forms the government, women will be provided with greater financial security. Through this promise, he is attempting to woo female voters.
Seat Sharing and Electoral Strategy
The alliance has also clarified its strategy regarding seat distribution. The AJUP has announced that it will field candidates in 182 constituencies in the 2026 elections, of which approximately eight seats will be allocated to the AIMIM. This move signals the alliance's intent to establish its presence across a significant portion of the state.
West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases: the first on April 23 and the second on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
Impact on the Political Landscape
Political analysts believe that this new alliance could pose a challenge to both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Particularly in constituencies where the Muslim vote plays a decisive role, the Aam Janata Unnayan Party–AIMIM alliance could potentially upset the existing political equations. Nevertheless, Mamata Banerjee's party is still considered to hold a strong position within the state.
However, such allegations and novel political experiments are making the electoral contest even more intriguing. The 2026 West Bengal elections are no longer confined solely to issues of development and welfare schemes; rather, issues such as identity, religion, and political representation have also moved to the center stage.
Humayun Kabir's allegations, the alliance with Owaisi, and major economic promises have further intensified the electoral atmosphere. In the coming days, it will be interesting to observe the extent of the impact this new alliance is able to exert, and whether or not Mamata Banerjee can effectively counter these challenges through her own strategic approach.