AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi welcomes the gathering at a public rally in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir is left. | Photo credit: PTI
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) launched his campaign for the West Bengal elections by addressing a public meeting at Naoda in Murshidabad with his ally, Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) leader Humayun Kabir.
Accusing Trinamool Congress president and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of doing nothing for Muslims in the state, Mr. Owaisi said the community was fighting to establish Muslim leadership in West Bengal.
“We want our rights. We want participation. We will not bow our heads to Mamata (Banerjee). We will not fear (Narendra) Modi,” the AIMIM leader said. “Remember there is no difference between Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi. They are like brother and sister. Muslims of Bengal want to be free from the fear of brother and sister,” he said.
Addressing a gathering of thousands of supporters, Mr Owaisi said he and Mr Kabir would also fight the 2029 Lok Sabha polls together.
“You have voted for other parties in the past. This time vote for your brother Kabir and his party and AIMIM candidates who will be deployed as part of the alliance to consolidate the entire Muslim vote and expose the hypocrisy and nexus between Trinamool and BJP,” he told the rally.
The Hyderabad MP said Muslims make up about 30% of the population in West Bengal, but the presence of the community in government positions is about seven percent. “The time has come to stop the exploitation of Muslims,” he said.
Mr Kabir is contesting from Naoda Assembly Constituency. The MLA launched the AJUP after he was suspended from the Trinamool in 2025 when he announced plans to build a ‘Babri Masjid’ in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.
He told the meeting that the “overwhelming presence” of community members at the rally was indicative of disillusionment and anger towards the Trinamool.
Mr. Kabir said the alliance plans to contest 182 of the total 294 seats and “teach both the Trinamool and the BJP the lesson they deserve”.
As of 2011, the Trinamool Congress under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee has the support of Muslims, who constitute 27% of the electorate. In the list of 291 candidates announced so far, there are 47 Muslim candidates. There are about 80 to 90 constituencies where Muslims can determine the outcome of the vote.
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.
Published – 01 Apr 2026 22:36 IST
