In a dramatic political turnaround, suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Monday withdrew his earlier decision to resign from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, asserting that the people of his constituency did not want him to step down. The reversal comes just days after Kabir sparked a major controversy by laying the foundation stone for a mosque modeled on the demolished Babri Masjid, setting off intense political reverberations across Murshidabad district and beyond.

Kabir, the legislator from Bharatpur in Murshidabad, had initially announced that he would tender his resignation on December 17 and formally launch a new political outfit five days later. This announcement followed a period of growing friction with the TMC leadership, culminating in his suspension for alleged indiscipline. However, his plans took a sudden turn on Monday, as he told reporters that public sentiment in his constituency compelled him to reconsider.

‘People Don’t Want Me to Resign’

Speaking to the media, Kabir declared that he had abandoned his plan to relinquish his Assembly seat. His reversal, he said, was driven entirely by appeals from voters who insisted he remain their elected representative.

“There is no question of my resignation now. I am not stepping down as MLA,” Kabir said. “People have elected me as their representative. They don’t want me to resign. Respecting their wishes, I have withdrawn my resignation decision.”

Kabir had earlier indicated that he intended to attend a standing committee meeting in Kolkata before formally submitting his resignation. His announcement in early December was framed as part of a new political beginning, including the establishment of a new political party. But the events of the past few days, especially public reactions to his actions around the mosque issue, appear to have altered his calculations.

The Babri-Style Mosque Controversy

Kabir found himself at the center of a political storm on December 6, the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. On that day, he laid the foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad, explicitly modeled after the Babri Masjid. The symbolism of the act—timed to coincide with a nationally sensitive date—instantly triggered backlash from both political parties and sections of civil society.

The foundation-laying ceremony was seen by critics as a provocative move that risked inflaming communal tensions. The TMC leadership promptly distanced itself from Kabir’s actions, highlighting that he had acted without the party’s approval and in violation of its stated principles.

According to reports, Kabir had undertaken the ceremony as part of a long-term vision to expand religious infrastructure in his constituency, but party leaders regarded it as an act that could fuel communal polarization. Opposition party members seized on the event to question the TMC’s internal controls and discipline, even as the ruling party scrambled to reinforce its position.

TMC Moves to Sever Ties Completely

Kabir’s foundation-stone ceremony prompted the TMC leadership to act swiftly. On December 6, the party suspended him for repeated violations of party discipline and explicitly disassociated itself from his actions.

Kolkata mayor and state minister Firhad Hakim, speaking on behalf of the YMC leadership, reiterated that the party has “no place for communal politics.” Hakim stated:

“We don’t believe in communal politics. Kabir was warned thrice in the past by the party’s disciplinary committee. But now he has again done this. With the consent of the party’s chairperson and the national general secretary, the party is suspending him. He will have no relation with the party.”

The firm language suggested that the party intended to completely sever ties with Kabir, regardless of whether he resigned from the Assembly. His earlier declaration that he intended to form a new political outfit only strengthened that view. However, Kabir’s decision to remain an MLA now puts him on a different trajectory, potentially as an independent legislator or as a future collaborator with another political formation.

Kabir’s Political Calculations and Constituency Dynamics

Kabir’s reversal highlights a crucial dynamic within Murshidabad, a district with a significant Muslim population and a history of shifting political loyalties. Bharatpur, his constituency, has traditionally been a stronghold where identity-oriented politics play a substantial role. Sources close to Kabir’s camp suggest that public sentiment in the region over the mosque issue emboldened him, even as his actions alienated him from his party.

Political analysts in the state point out that Kabir has long harbored independent political ambitions. His earlier announcement of forming a new party indicates a desire to carve out his own identity, possibly leveraging hyperlocal support. The mosque foundation event, despite drawing criticism from mainstream parties, may have solidified his standing among certain sections of his constituency. This, in turn, could have reinforced his decision to stay in office despite party suspension.

Yet, there are risks. Remaining in the Assembly without party backing may limit his legislative influence. Additionally, the TMC has signaled that it will not restore his membership, and his relationship with the leadership is likely beyond repair. Nevertheless, by reaffirming his connection with local voters, Kabir appears to be betting that constituency support will give him the political leverage he needs to navigate the coming months.

Future of Kabir’s Political Journey

Kabir’s immediate future remains uncertain. Although he has withdrawn his resignation, he has not yet clarified whether he still intends to launch a separate political outfit. If he proceeds with forming a new party, it could serve as a platform to rally supporters who felt galvanized by his actions around the mosque. Alternatively, he may delay such a move, focusing instead on consolidating grassroots support while functioning as an independent MLA.

Meanwhile, the TMC leadership is likely to maintain its distance, especially as it seeks to reinforce its secular credentials amid a sensitive political climate. The opposition, too, may attempt to capitalize on the controversy, both to highlight internal rifts in the TMC and to shape narratives around identity politics in the region.

For now, Kabir remains an MLA—albeit one suspended from his party—and a politically significant figure in Murshidabad. His decision to withdraw his resignation underscores the complex interplay between individual political aspirations, party discipline, identity politics, and constituency-level dynamics.

What remains to be seen is whether this episode marks the beginning of a new independent political journey for Humayun Kabir or a temporary strategic pause as he recalibrates his next steps.