Kolkata, Sep 27 (PTI) A fresh controversy erupted in West Bengal on Sunday after AJUP founder Humayun Kabir made remarks wishing for the “early departure” of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari from the world, invoking the fate of political leaders who were assassinated or died in accidents, drawing a sharp response from the BJP.
Kabir, addressing reporters in Murshidabad, said he would pray that the “Almighty should book his ticket”, while referring to former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and other political figures.
“I will pray to the Almighty that he leaves the world as soon as possible. May Allah book his ticket. There will be an end to arrogance,” Kabir said.
The Nowda MLA also referred to former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia while speaking about the fate of political leaders who died unnatural deaths.
Kabir said he wanted Adhikari to cease being chief minister and become a former CM, alleging that the BJP leader had become “arrogant” after coming to power and that minorities were being subjected to harassment under his government.
The comments came amid heightened political activity in Murshidabad ahead of the October 6 bypoll to Rejinagar, the seat vacated by Kabir after he retained the Nowda seat in the 2026 Assembly elections.
The BJP hit back at Kabir, with Health Minister Shardwat Mukhopadhyay condemning the remarks and saying political differences could not justify wishing death upon an opponent.
“Political courtesy in Bengal has fallen to a very low level. I could not imagine that someone could say something like this so shamelessly. He may not like Suvendu Adhikari or may disagree with his policies, but can anyone wish for someone’s death? I strongly condemn this,” Mukhopadhyay said.
Adhikari “was not made the chief minister through anyone’s favour; the people made him chief minister”, Mukhopadhyay said, adding: “Humayun Kabir should remember — a curse does not kill a cow.”
Kabir’s latest remarks have added another personal dimension to an already fractious electoral contest in Rejinagar, a constituency where his political influence is being tested after his decision to vacate the seat.
Kabir, a turncoat who has moved between the Congress, Trinamool Congress and BJP before returning to the TMC and later forming his own political outfit, won both Rejinagar and Nowda in this year’s Assembly elections. He retained Nowda, leaving Rejinagar vacant and necessitating the bypoll.
The BJP has fielded Sakharav Sarkar from Rejinagar, while the TMC has nominated Rabiul Alam Chowdhury. A faction led by rebel TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee has fielded Safiuzzaman Sheikh; the Congress has nominated Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi and the CPI(M) has put up Syed Asad Ali. Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) has fielded his son, Ghulam Nabi Azad, from the seat.
Rejinagar has assumed particular significance in the state’s rapidly shifting political landscape. The Murshidabad constituency has a large number of Muslim voters and was won by Kabir’s AJUP in the 2026 Assembly elections, when he defeated the BJP’s Bapan Ghosh by a substantial margin.
His relationship with Adhikari has also been marked by repeated confrontations. Kabir has previously issued warnings against Adhikari’s political activities in his constituency, while the chief minister has responded sharply to his attacks.
The latest episode, however, has moved the confrontation beyond an exchange over policies or electoral rivalry, with Kabir’s references to the deaths of political leaders drawing condemnation from the BJP and threatening to become a major talking point in the Rejinagar campaign.
The Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls, scheduled for October 6, are being closely watched as an early test of the political realignments that have followed the 2026 Assembly elections. Counting for both seats is scheduled for October 9. PTI PNT NN
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