Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Humayun Kabir, founder of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP), on Monday said that West Bengal’s assembly election outcome reflected public anger against the Trinamool Congress. He also accused chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her government of exploiting the state during their years in power.Addressing reporters, Kabir said, “What can I say? What has happened is good. This was bound to happen. Mamata Banerjee became the CM thrice. She gave so much authority to her nephew.”The politician further added, “They cheated the people and looted their money. In 15 years, they surpassed the loot which was done by the British looted in 100-200 years. I would like to congratulate the people of Bengal who gave such a reply to TMC, who looted the state”Kabir, once a Trinamool Congress leader before being expelled over the Babri Masjid construction controversy in Murshidabad, was ahead in both the Reijinagar and Nowda constituencies as counting progressed, according to Election Commission of India data.In Reijinagar, Trinamool’s Ataur Rahaman slipped to third after three rounds, while BJP candidate Bapan Ghosh occupied second place, trailing by 6,325 votes. In Nowda too, Trinamool’s Sahina Momtaz Khan was pushed to third position after seven rounds, with Kabir leading the race.Confident of securing both seats, Kabir said, “I will win both seats and take the certificate home at 3 pm.”The broader electoral picture also pointed to a major political shift in West Bengal, with the Bharatiya Janata Party moving beyond the majority mark and putting an end to Mamata Banerjee’s hopes of returning for a fourth straight term.Election Commission trends till 1:15 pm showed the BJP leading in 187 constituencies, while the Trinamool Congress was ahead in 92.With the BJP gaining a decisive edge, supporters of the party gathered outside Mamata Banerjee’s Kolkata residence, chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’.The elections were also marked by unprecedented voter participation. West Bengal recorded its highest turnout since independence, with 93.19% polling in Phase-I and 91.66% in Phase-II, taking the overall turnout to 92.47%.The results marked a dramatic reversal from the 2021 Assembly polls, when Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress had won 213 of 294 seats with nearly 48% vote share. In that election, the BJP had secured 77 seats with around 38% votes, while the Left-Congress alliance failed to win any seat.
