5 hrs ago
Humayun Kabir Concedes Rejinagar Defeat, Vows Political Retirement
Humayun Kabir is a politician whose party’s candidate ran in a by-election in Rejinagar.
Before officials began counting the votes, Kabir said he believed his side had lost.
He called the election unfair and accused the authorities of helping the result go against his party.
Those claims are allegations, and the article says the final result had not yet been announced.
Kabir said he would stop taking part in active politics.
He also said he would not attend the state Assembly while Suvendu Adhikari was chief minister.
Police had detained Kabir for nearly 12 hours on election day, and he objected to the detention.
A BJP leader criticized Kabir’s remarks.
Kabir said he would still work for people in Naoda and continue with his promise to build a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir conceded defeat in the Rejinagar bypoll before vote counting began, calling the election a “farce.”
Kabir alleged that the BJP and state authorities had stolen the election; the final result was still pending.
He said he would retire from active politics and avoid the Assembly while Suvendu Adhikari remained chief minister.
Kabir’s son, Golam Nabi Azad, was AJUP’s candidate in the bypoll, which followed Kabir’s resignation from the seat after winning Naoda.
Police detained Kabir for nearly 12 hours on polling day over alleged objectionable remarks and attempts to influence voters; BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya criticized him.
- Who
- Humayun Kabir, chief of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, and his son, bypoll candidate Golam Nabi Azad.
- What
- Kabir conceded defeat before counting, alleged election malpractice, and announced his retirement from active politics and a boycott of Assembly proceedings while Suvendu Adhikari remained chief minister.
- Where
- Rejinagar, Naoda and Murshidabad, West Bengal.
- When
- Wednesday morning, before counting began; Kabir had been detained on Tuesday, polling day.
- Why
- Kabir said he felt betrayed and disappointed and alleged that the election had been stolen using the state police and administration.
Kabir’s allegations
BJP response
Fairness of the election
Kabir’s allegations
Kabir called the election a “farce” and alleged that the ruling establishment used the state police and administration to steal it; he said the result would not reflect the people’s mandate.
BJP response
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya criticized Kabir, saying his language was enough to warrant jail and that he should not be treated as a subject of political discussion.
Detention on polling day
Kabir’s allegations
Kabir said he objected to being detained for nearly 12 hours and described the detention of an elected MLA by a police sub-inspector as undemocratic.
BJP response
Police detained him over alleged objectionable remarks against police personnel and accusations that he tried to incite and influence voters.
Key facts
- Party
- Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP)
- Bypoll constituency
- Rejinagar
- AJUP candidate
- Golam Nabi Azad, Kabir’s son
- Counting status
- Had not begun when Kabir conceded defeat; final verdict was awaited
- Kabir’s announcement
- He said he would retire from active politics and stay away from Assembly proceedings while Suvendu Adhikari remained chief minister
- Detention
- Police detained Kabir on polling day; he was released nearly 12 hours later
- Babri Masjid pledge
- Kabir said he would still fulfil his promise to construct a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP
“I hate a democracy where a police sub-inspector can forcibly pick up an elected MLA without any reason and keep him detained for 12 hours. I will also keep away from this police minister.”
thestatesman.com
“The way he delivered his language earlier is enough for sending him to jail. He should not be discussed as the subject of politics.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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