West Bengal’s election fever hit a new high on Friday as Amit Shah, the BJP’s towering strategist, unleashed a scathing attack on the Humayun Kabir sting controversy during the party’s manifesto unveiling in Kolkata. Labeling any potential tie-up with Kabir’s outfit as anathema, Shah asserted, ‘We’d prefer 20 years on the opposition benches over aligning with Babri Masjid reconstruction advocates.’
The trigger was a viral audio purportedly featuring Kabir, who quit TMC to float Aam Janata Unnayan Party, pledging unwavering support to BJP’s bid to topple TMC. He allegedly strategizes splitting Muslim votes if BJP secures Hindu ballots, boasts connections to key BJP figures like Suvendu Adhikari and Mohan Yadav, and promises to prop up a future BJP government.
TMC heavyweights Firhad Hakim and Arup Biswas had played the clip at a presser, igniting charges of BJP’s vote-buying schemes. Shah countered with trademark wit, mocking Mamata’s prowess in video fabrication: ‘Mamata can whip up 2,000 of these.’ He likened BJP-Kabir compatibility to opposing magnetic poles, firmly closing the door on collaboration.
This row comes amid AIMIM’s abrupt exit from Kabir’s alliance, choosing solo runs in Bengal. Political analysts see Shah’s remarks as a masterstroke to rally BJP’s core base, distancing from opportunism and reaffirming commitment to Hindutva roots. With polls looming, the saga underscores deepening communal undercurrents and tactical maneuvering in India’s eastern hotspot, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral showdown.
