AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi announced that his party will join forces with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. In response, the Congress launched a scathing attack, accusing Owaisi of shedding his secular mask and revealing his communal stance. The Congress labeled Owaisi as the BJP’s true ally, criticizing the AIMIM-AJUP alliance.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput condemned the partnership, emphasizing Owaisi’s alleged ties to the BJP and questioning the funding sources for forming AJUP. Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat highlighted concerns about the division of secular votes benefiting the BJP, attributing such tactics to Owaisi’s role as the BJP’s “B-team.” JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey expressed skepticism about Owaisi’s impact in West Bengal’s political landscape, suggesting his alignment with the BJP weakens secular forces.
JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan criticized the political scenario in West Bengal, attributing the emergence of divisive figures like Owaisi to the political environment cultivated by Mamata Banerjee. Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav offered a neutral perspective, acknowledging Owaisi’s party’s right to contest elections independently. The alliance between AIMIM and AJUP is anticipated to influence the vote share in Muslim-dominated constituencies in the upcoming polls, altering the dynamics of the contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with vote counting set for May 4.
