Kolkata: Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir has removed social media influencer Nisha Chatterjee from the provisional list of candidates of his newly formed Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), triggering a fresh political controversy in West Bengal. Chatterjee, who was announced as the party’s nominee for the Ballygunge constituency, was dropped within hours of the announcement, with Kabir citing concerns over her social media presence.
Explaining his decision, Kabir said he had reviewed some of Chatterjee’s photographs and reels on social media and felt her candidature could send the “wrong message” to voters. He maintained that as party chief he had the right to take such a call and added that a new woman candidate would be announced soon. Kabir also hinted that, like several other JUP candidates named so far, the replacement could be from the Muslim community.
Chatterjee, however, strongly rejected Kabir’s explanation and alleged that she was removed because of her religion. Speaking to the media, she claimed the sudden scrutiny of her social media content was merely a pretext. “I have been dropped because I am a Hindu,” she said, questioning the party’s claim of being secular. She added that she had supported Kabir even during controversies, including his plan to build a replica of the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, and felt betrayed by the decision.
Kabir was suspended from the Trinamool Congress earlier this month following repeated disagreements with the party leadership, including his remarks and actions that sparked a temple-versus-mosque political row. Soon after, he announced the launch of the Janata Unnayan Party, declaring that it would contest 135 of West Bengal’s 249 assembly seats in the next election and work for the “aam aadmi”.
The Trinamool Congress has dismissed Kabir and his party as politically insignificant, while the BJP has alleged that Kabir’s rebellion is a tactic to divide votes. The episode has added another layer of tension to Bengal’s already charged political landscape ahead of the elections.
