The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has called off its alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) released a purported sting video allegedly showing Kabir making controversial remarks about Muslims in West Bengal and claiming links with the BJP. The decision effectively ends a short-lived political partnership that had been formed ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, had entered into the alliance with Kabir’s newly formed AJUP on March 23 with the aim of consolidating minority votes and offering an alternative political platform in the state. However, the alliance lasted only a few weeks before collapsing in the wake of the controversy triggered by the video.

Explaining its decision, AIMIM said it could not be associated with any statements that questioned the integrity of Muslims. The party also reiterated that Muslims in Bengal remain among the most marginalized communities and emphasized that its electoral approach is focused on providing such groups with an independent political voice. It further announced that it would now contest the elections independently, without aligning with any other party.

The controversy began when the TMC released what it described as a sting operation video involving Kabir. In the clip, he is allegedly heard claiming that he had been in contact with the Prime Minister’s Office and had been advised to coordinate with leaders from BJP-ruled states, including Suvendu Adhikari and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The video also purportedly contains remarks suggesting that Muslims can be easily misled, references to the Babri Masjid issue, and discussions about large sums of money, including an alleged ₹200 crore advance as part of a broader plan.

According to the TMC, the video points to an attempt to divert minority votes away from the party in a way that could benefit the BJP in the elections. The party has alleged that the claims indicate a multi-crore political operation aimed at defeating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and has called for an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate.

Kabir, however, has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing the video as fabricated and politically motivated. He stated that he has had no contact with BJP leaders since 2019 and challenged his accusers to provide any evidence to support their claims. He also accused Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and other TMC leaders of orchestrating a smear campaign against him, alleging that artificial intelligence had been used to manipulate the video. Kabir said he would file defamation cases and urged the Muslim community not to be misled by what he described as false claims intended to damage his reputation.

Kabir was previously associated with the TMC but was suspended last year before going on to form his own party, AJUP. His exit followed controversy over his pledge to build a mosque modeled on the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Assembly elections for the 294-member House are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting set for May 4.