By Shabana Javed
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Thursday released a purported video of Humayun Kabir from a past press conference, triggering a fresh political controversy in West Bengal. However, the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.
According to Trinamool Congress, the video dated December 19 last year allegedly exposes a “secret collusion” between Humayun Kabir and BJP. The ruling party has claimed that the contents of the 19-minute clip suggest attempts to influence voters using religious sentiments and financial inducements.
In the video, names of prominent BJP leaders such as Suvendu Adhikari, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Mohan Yadav are reportedly mentioned. It is also alleged that Humayun can be heard stating that he would extend support to BJP in the event of a hung assembly where no party secures a majority. Additionally, the clip purportedly shows him asking for a sum of ₹1000 crore, further intensifying the allegations made by TMC.
Reacting strongly to these claims, Humayun Kabir, leader of Aam Janata Unnayan Party and outgoing MLA from Bharatpur, has categorically rejected the video’s authenticity. He has alleged that the video is a fabricated creation generated using AI to malign his image.
Speaking to the media, Kabir said that TMC was resorting to such tactics because it could not politically confront him. He directly accused top Trinamool leadership, including Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Pratik Jain, Kunal Ghosh, and Firhad Hakim, of orchestrating a conspiracy against him.
“It was made using AI. They are unable to face me politically, so they are planning such things. Show proof. Forget ₹1000 crore if you can provide credible evidence, I will withdraw from all elections based on what the people of the state decide,” Kabir asserted.
The Bharatpur MLA further warned that he would take legal action if the authenticity of the video is not established. He stated that he is prepared to approach the High Court and file a defamation case against the Trinamool leadership for allegedly circulating false and misleading content.
As of now, there has been no independent verification of the video’s authenticity, and the matter is likely to escalate further, both politically and legally, in the coming days.
