Kolkata, Oct 7 (PTI) A day after his arrest following a heated confrontation with the police during polling in Rejinagar, AJUP chief and Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir on Wednesday broke down in front of the media, hinted at quitting electoral politics and claimed that the BJP would win the Muslim-majority constituency in Murshidabad district.
Kabir, who has been at the centre of several controversies during the campaign, also said he would not attend the assembly as long as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari remained in office, and apologised to the people of Nowda for his decision.
“If Suvendu Adhikari remains the chief minister, I will not go to the assembly. I will seek forgiveness from the people of Nowda,” Kabir said, fighting back tears.
Kabir also indicated that he could take voluntary retirement from politics, saying he had become disillusioned with the political system and the treatment meted out to him.
The AJUP chief’s remarks came a day after the high-voltage polling in Rejinagar, where he was arrested after a confrontation with the police outside his party office. He was released after spending nearly 12 hours in custody.
The dramatic turn of events has added another twist to an already closely watched bypoll in Rejinagar, a minority-dominated constituency where Kabir’s son Golam Nabi Azad is contesting as the AJUP candidate.
Kabir, who had won both Nowda and Rejinagar in the last assembly election, had vacated the Rejinagar seat in accordance with the rules, necessitating the bypoll.
On Tuesday, however, the political contest quickly acquired a personal edge when Kabir clashed with the police after voting. He was accused of using abusive language, attempting to influence voters and making provocative remarks. Police subsequently arrested him following the confrontation outside his party office.
The arrest became the most dramatic episode of a polling day that otherwise saw a relatively high turnout in the two constituencies.
On Wednesday, Kabir appeared a markedly different figure from the combative politician seen outside his party office a day earlier.
Speaking to reporters with tears in his eyes, he trained his guns on the police and administration, and alleged that the electoral process in Rejinagar had not been fair.
“The BJP will win Rejinagar,” Kabir declared, attributing the outcome to what he alleged was the role of the administration during polling.
The bypolls in Rejinagar and Nandigram is being seen as an early electoral test for the BJP government and an opportunity for the opposition to challenge its hold.
Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9. PTI PNT RBT
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