Bengal election 2026: Owaisi-Kabir Finalise Seat Sharing, Target Mamata Over 'Eid Namaz' Remark

Kolkata: Just before the West Bengal Assembly elections, a new equation has been formed in the politics of the state. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Humayun Kabir's party JUP have announced they will contest the elections together. An agreement has also been reached between the two parties regarding seat distribution. With the announcement of this alliance, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi fiercely targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and challenged her pro-Muslim image.

What is the goal of AIMIM-JUP alliance?

In a joint press conference, Owaisi and Humayun Kabir described this alliance as not just electoral but also strategic. Owaisi said in clear words, "Our aim is to bring out political leadership from among the minorities in Bengal. This alliance will continue in the future also." His statement is being seen as an attempt to make a dent in the Muslim vote bank in the Mamata Banerjee-led ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

What is seat sharing formula?

Although AIMIM and JUP have not made public the exact mathematics of seat sharing, both leaders confirmed that the formula has been finalized. This announcement of alliance has come at a time when TMC has announced its candidates for 291 out of 294 seats. TMC's ally Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) will contest the remaining three hill seats. In such a situation, the new alliance will not only compete with TMC but also with BJP and Left-Congress alliance.

Why did Owaisi raise these questions on Mamta?

Owaisi directly attacked Mamata Banerjee's 'Muslim face' politics. He asked a sharp question, “Will Mamata's stand of offering Namaz during Eid fill the stomach of Muslims?” Apart from this, he also raised questions on the role of Mamata Banerjee during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Owaisi sarcastically asked, "What was Mamata doing during the Gujarat riots? Was she eating dhokla?" Through these questions, he tried to show that Mamata Banerjee's commitment towards the Muslim community is only a show.

Has the possibility of a triangular contest increased?

For the last few elections in the state, the main contest has been considered to be between TMC and BJP. But this alliance of AIMIM and JUP, which is calling itself the 'real' representative of the minorities, may create a situation of triangular conflict on Muslim-dominated seats. Political analysts believe that this alliance can weaken TMC's claim that it has called itself the sole protector of minorities. In this election to be held in two phases, voting will be held on 23rd and 29th April, while the results will be revealed on 4th May.

Can we see a change in the vote bank?

According to political experts, this alliance may have an impact especially on minority votes. Due to this, the nature of competition may change on many seats and distribution of votes may be seen.

Will a new challenge arise before Trinamool Congress?

This alliance can become a challenge for the Trinamool Congress, however considering the party's strong hold, its impact will be decided only by the election results.

Will the election contest be more interesting?

After this alliance, the contest for many seats may become triangular. This will make the elections more competitive and uncertain.

In which direction will politics go next?

Now the focus is on how much impact this alliance can have on the ground. The election campaign and strategy will make the picture clearer in the coming days.