‘TMC Will Get Zero Seats by 2026’: Suvendu’s Warning! Can the Ruling Party Overcome Infighting in Its ‘Muslim Fortress’?

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Following visits to the Matua belt and Malda, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is now in Murshidabad. Her rally in Baharampur today is particularly significant because the district is predominantly Muslim-majority and the state politics have been heated by the ‘Babri Masjid foundation stone laying’ initiative by TMC’s ‘rebel’ MLA, Humayun Kabir.

Was Humayun Kabir invited to the CM’s rally as an attempt to bridge the internal divide?

The December 6 Controversy and Humayun Kabir

Humayun Kabir, the TMC MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad, is preparing to lay the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad on December 6, the anniversary of the demolition of the original Babri Mosque in Ayodhya. His frustration with the party has been evident for months.

  • TMC’s Silence: While the BJP has strongly criticized the MLA’s move, the Trinamool Congress has remained silent. However, in an apparent effort to manage the internal rift, Humayun Kabir was invited to the CM’s rally today. The internal conflict is severely troubling the ruling party.

Political Equation in Murshidabad: The TMC Challenge

Murshidabad was once a Congress stronghold, but TMC’s Yusuf Pathan defeated Adhir Chowdhury in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, marking the end of an era. The main challenges for the TMC in this district are now:

  • BJP’s Growth: While Congress is sidelined, the BJP is aggressively trying to increase its strength in the district.
  • AIMIM’s Factor: Besides the BJP, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM could play a crucial role as a ‘vote-cutter’ in the Muslim-dominated segments, altering key equations.
  • Past Instability: Though TMC won 20 out of 22 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections, the subsequent loss in the Sagardighi by-poll (later reversed when the winning candidate switched to TMC) highlights the internal instability.

BJP’s Strong Warning

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari sharply attacked the TMC, highlighting its perceived weakness in the district. Speaking from Sutia in Murshidabad, he stated, “TMC will not be seen in the fight in Murshidabad. The fight here will be between the BJP, Congress, CPI(M), and ISF.”

Suvendu Adhikari’s warning: “I am saying it here… TMC will return empty-handed from all 22 seats in 2026.”

Political observers will be watching closely to see how successful Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rally is in consolidating her party’s position among the Muslim electorate and managing its deep-rooted internal conflicts.

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