Kolkata, March 25: In a bold statement following his alliance with AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, Humayun Kabir, the head of the Jan Unnayan Party, has called for a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister in West Bengal. Kabir, previously expelled from the TMC, emphasized that their movement for Muslim representation has gained momentum with Owaisi’s support.
“We have been advocating for a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister in Bengal. Now, with Owaisi joining us, we demand that the next leadership be Muslim,” Kabir stated during a conversation in Kolkata. He highlighted that 37% of West Bengal’s population is Muslim, with 32% listed on the electoral roll. “If no Chief Minister emerges from our community, at least a Deputy Chief Minister should be appointed. This is a long-standing issue I have raised,” he added.
Kabir acknowledged Owaisi’s stance that the coalition should aim for the Chief Minister’s position rather than merely contesting for the Deputy Chief Minister’s role. “From today, we will raise our voices for a Chief Minister,” he declared.
Reflecting on the political landscape over the past decade, Kabir noted that communal tensions, particularly around Ram Navami, were instigated by the BJP to consolidate Hindu votes. “Ten years ago, there was no significant Hindu-Muslim conflict in Bengal. The BJP has created this rift for political gain,” he asserted.
He also mentioned the importance of Murshidabad district, where Hindus and Muslims have coexisted for centuries. “I have no connection to Bangladesh. My citizenship is Indian, and I will live and die in India,” he affirmed.
Regarding electoral strategies, Kabir stated, “The Hindu vote is their issue, while the Muslim vote is mine. For every Hindu rally, we will mobilize our community. Mamata Banerjee is building temples for Hindu votes, but I have the support of 80-100% of Muslim voters, which will simplify our campaign.”
It is noteworthy that voting for West Bengal’s 294 assembly seats will occur in two phases on April 23 and 29, with results expected on May 4.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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