"Integrity of Muslims cannot be questioned...": AIMIM Pulls Plug on Alliance with Humayun Kabir amidst 'Sting Video' Row

Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has withdrawn its alliance with suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir and his Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), marking a significant shift in West Bengal’s political landscape just weeks before polling. This comes amid mounting controversy over a purported ‘sting video’ in which Kabir is allegedly heard speaking about links with senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kabir has rejected the video, claiming it is AI-generated and politically motivated.

Announcing its decision, AIMIM said it could not continue its association in light of the developments. “Humayun Kabir's revelations have shown how vulnerable Bengal's Muslims are. That AIMIM cannot associate with any statements where integrity of Muslims is brought into question. As of today, AIMIM has withdrawn its alliance with Kabir's party,” the party said in a statement posted online.

The party further clarified that it would contest the upcoming elections independently, positioning itself as a voice for marginalised communities.

“Bengal's Muslims are one of the poorest, neglected and oppressed communities. Despite decades of secular rule, nothing has been done for them. AIMIM's policy in contesting elections in any state is so that the marginalised communities have an independent political voice. We will be contesting the Bengal elections INDEPENDENTLY and will have no alliance with any party going forward,” the statement added.

The decision also led to the cancellation of Owaisi’s planned campaign tour in the state. He was scheduled to address joint rallies with Kabir in Birbhum, Asansol and Kolkata, in what was expected to be a show of unity aimed at consolidating minority votes.

The controversy was triggered after the All India Trinamool Congress released the video, alleging that Kabir had discussed election strategies and claimed to have struck a deal worth ₹1,000 crore with BJP leaders to defeat the ruling party. The authenticity of the video, however, has not been independently verified. The Trinamool Congress has demanded a probe by the Enforcement Directorate into the matter.

Kabir strongly denied the allegations, accusing the Trinamool of orchestrating a smear campaign. “It is an attempt to malign me by Trinamool, who are afraid to lose Muslim votes. They have insulted the community by launching such a fake video, which made light of Muslims' sentiments by putting certain statements through AI,” he said. He also warned of legal action, stating he would pursue defamation cases if evidence was not provided.

The BJP, meanwhile, dismissed the controversy as politically motivated. Senior leader Dilip Ghosh criticised both Kabir and the Trinamool. “MIM came from Hyderabad but left it midway. A lot of people try to earn money from elections. But he is leader without support. Even his family doesn't vote for him. Such videos are made for political gains,” Ghosh said.

Kabir, the MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad, had earlier been suspended by the Trinamool Congress. He later launched his own outfit ahead of the elections, after drawing attention for laying the foundation of a mosque modelled on the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.