Humayun Kabir announces political withdrawal after the Rejinagar by-election, alleging electoral manipulation and vowing to stay away from the Assembly while Suvendu Adhikari remains CM.
Qalam Times News Network
Rejinagar, Murshidabad | October 7, 2026
Humayun Kabir has announced that he is stepping away from active politics, claiming that the Rejinagar Assembly by-election was marred by serious irregularities and that the electoral process no longer reflects the democratic values he believes in. The Am Janata Unnayan Party chief made the emotional announcement on Wednesday, a day after polling ended in the Murshidabad constituency.
Speaking to reporters, Humayun Kabir predicted a decisive victory for the BJP in Rejinagar, even before the votes were counted. However, he insisted that such a result would not represent the genuine choice of voters. According to him, the election was manipulated through the state police and administrative machinery.
‘I Will Not Enter the Assembly While Suvendu Adhikari Is Chief Minister’ : Humayun Kabir
Kabir, who represents Naoda in the state Assembly and had earlier won both Rejinagar and Naoda, said he was deeply disappointed by the developments surrounding the by-election. At one point during his interaction with the media, he became visibly emotional and broke down while speaking about his decision.
He said he would take “voluntary retirement” from politics and would not enter the West Bengal Assembly for as long as Suvendu Adhikari remains Chief Minister.
“I will retire voluntarily from politics. In such a democratic system, it is impossible to fight against the state,” Kabir said.
He also apologised to the people of Naoda for the decision, while making it clear that he would continue working for his constituents outside the Assembly. He said that all necessary public services in his constituency would continue and that he would remain committed to the welfare of local residents.
Kabir, however, said he would not participate in Assembly proceedings or cross the threshold of the legislature during Adhikari’s tenure as Chief Minister.
The announcement came a day after Kabir was detained by police on the day of the Rejinagar by-election. He was taken into custody in the evening after allegations that he had made objectionable remarks against police personnel and attempted to influence or provoke voters while leaving a polling station. He was released after approximately 12 hours.
Reacting to his detention, Kabir sharply criticised the state police and the government’s handling of the situation.
He questioned how an elected legislator could allegedly be taken away and detained for hours by a police officer without what he considered sufficient justification.
Kabir said he had lost faith in a democratic system in which an elected representative could be forcibly removed and kept in custody for such a prolonged period. He also said he would distance himself from the state’s political leadership.
BJP Victory Prediction Before Results
Kabir’s remarks came even before the official counting of votes. He claimed that the BJP would win Rejinagar by a substantial margin, but argued that the outcome would be the consequence of alleged electoral manipulation rather than genuine public sentiment.
His son, Golam Nabi Azad, contested the Rejinagar by-election as the candidate of the Am Janata Unnayan Party. Speaking after polling ended on Tuesday, Azad had also alleged that the election had been affected by voter intimidation and alleged “vote loot” by the BJP.
The Rejinagar seat became vacant after Kabir gave it up, while he continued to represent Naoda in the Assembly.
Humayun Kabir Says Public Services Will Continue
Despite announcing his withdrawal from Assembly proceedings, Kabir said he would not abandon the people who elected him from Naoda.
He assured constituents that local development and public services would continue and that he would remain accessible to residents. His decision, he stressed, was directed at the political and legislative system rather than at the people of his constituency.
Kabir also reiterated his commitment to his earlier promise to construct a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, saying that he would proceed with that commitment.
The final political significance of Kabir’s announcement will depend on whether he maintains his decision after the Rejinagar election results are formally declared and how his supporters respond to his decision to stay away from the Assembly.
