All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi has announced that his party will contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections in alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP). He has also visited the State and addressed a press conference with Mr. Kabir by his side.
The announcement of the alliance assumes significance as it indicates a new churn in West Bengal politics ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. One of the most crucial factors that will determine the outcome of the 2026 polls is whether the Muslims will continue to support Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or shift their loyalties.
Battle of Bengal: On the West Bengal Assembly election 2026
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has not fielded a single Muslim candidate so far, has already given up on the prospect of securing Muslims votes for the principal Opposition party in the State. Therefore, it is left to the Left parties, the Congress, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and the new grouping of AIMIM and AJUP to seek the support of Muslims, who comprise 27% of the electorate.
The Trinamool Congress, under Ms. Banerjee’s leadership, has retained the support of Muslims since 2011. But after three consecutive terms, the party is facing difficult questions.
