Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief and Naoda MLA Humayun Kabir has hinted at stepping away from electoral politics following his arrest during polling for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll in West Bengal. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kabir appeared emotional and said he was considering voluntary retirement from politics.
Kabir also predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party would win the Rejinagar constituency. However, he alleged that such a result would not represent the genuine mandate of voters. His comments came a day after he was arrested following a confrontation with police during polling in the constituency.
The allegations made by Kabir have not been independently established. The BJP and the state government have rejected allegations of irregularities made by opposition parties during the bypoll. The final result will be known after counting on October 9.
Humayun Kabir Hints at Political Retirement
Kabir told reporters that he had become disillusioned with the political system and indicated that he could take voluntary retirement from electoral politics.
He also said that he would not attend the West Bengal Assembly as long as Suvendu Adhikari remained Chief Minister. Kabir apologised to voters in his Naoda Assembly constituency while making the statement.
His remarks represent a significant change in tone following a tense polling day in Rejinagar. Kabir had been actively involved in the campaign surrounding the bypoll because his son, Golam Nabi Azad, is contesting the seat as the AJUP candidate.
Arrest During Rejinagar Polling
The latest development followed Kabir’s arrest during polling on October 6.
Kabir had gone to his party office in Rejinagar after casting his vote. A confrontation took place between him and police personnel deployed in the area. Kabir had accused the police of interfering with the polling process at several locations.
The situation escalated and police subsequently arrested him. Reports said he remained in custody for nearly 12 hours before being released.
The incident became one of the most prominent developments during polling in Rejinagar. Videos and reports from the day showed a heated confrontation between Kabir and police officers.
Kabir’s Allegations About the Election
After his release, Kabir alleged that the BJP would win Rejinagar but claimed that the result would not reflect the voters’ actual choice.
He accused the police and administration of influencing the election process and alleged that the people’s mandate had been taken away. These claims remain allegations and have not been independently verified.
Opposition parties also raised broader allegations concerning the conduct of polling in Rejinagar and Nandigram. Congress and other opposition groups called for fresh polling in some areas, alleging irregularities including vote manipulation and the removal of polling agents.
The BJP rejected these allegations and maintained that the polling process was conducted fairly. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also rejected claims that the election had been compromised.
Rejinagar Bypoll Background
The Rejinagar bypoll was required after Humayun Kabir won both the Rejinagar and Naoda Assembly constituencies in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.
Under election rules, a candidate who wins more than one Assembly seat has to retain one constituency and vacate the other. Kabir retained Naoda and vacated Rejinagar, creating the vacancy that led to the bypoll.
His Aam Janata Unnayan Party has fielded his son, Golam Nabi Azad, as its candidate in the by-election.
The Rejinagar contest has attracted attention because of the constituency’s demographic composition and the number of political parties and candidates competing for the seat.
The BJP has fielded Shankharav Sarkar, while candidates from different Trinamool Congress factions, Congress and the CPI(M) are also in the contest.
BJP’s Electoral Challenge
The Rejinagar bypoll is being closely watched as an early electoral test for the BJP government in West Bengal.
The BJP came to power in the state after the 2026 Assembly election, and the bypolls in Rejinagar and Nandigram are among the first electoral contests since the change in government.
Rejinagar presents a particular challenge for the BJP because Kabir had won the seat by a substantial margin in the previous Assembly election. According to election data cited by The Indian Express, Kabir secured about 51.62 percent of the vote, while the BJP candidate received around 27.02 percent and the TMC candidate received about 17.43 percent.
The BJP has nevertheless intensified its campaign in the constituency and has sought to appeal to voters on issues including development, employment and infrastructure.
The party has also sought to broaden its support among different communities in the constituency.
Political Competition
The Rejinagar bypoll has a multi cornered contest involving the BJP, AJUP, Congress, CPI(M) and different Trinamool Congress factions.
The fragmented opposition vote is one of the important factors being watched during the election. With several parties competing for support, the final outcome could depend on how votes are distributed among the candidates.
The contest has also involved political disagreements over the role of the administration and the conduct of the election.
Kabir has alleged that his party and supporters faced pressure during the campaign. Other opposition parties have raised similar concerns about the election process, while the BJP has rejected the allegations.
The Election Commission and polling authorities will determine the validity of any complaints relating to the conduct of the election.
Kabir’s Remarks on Suvendu Adhikari
Kabir’s statement regarding Suvendu Adhikari also adds a political dimension to the controversy.
He said he would stay away from the Assembly for as long as Adhikari remained Chief Minister. Kabir also apologised to voters in Naoda for saying that he would not attend the House.
The statement reflects the continuing political differences between Kabir and the BJP leadership in the state.
Kabir also claimed that Adhikari had previously told him that his son would win Rejinagar by around 30,000 votes. Kabir said he now felt betrayed by the developments surrounding the bypoll.
This claim is also based on Kabir’s account and has not been independently verified.
Counting on October 9
The Rejinagar bypoll was held on October 6 along with the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal. Both constituencies recorded high voter participation.
Rejinagar recorded approximately 80.07 percent polling, while Nandigram recorded around 80.87 percent, according to election officials cited in reports.
Vote counting for the bypolls is scheduled for October 9.
The result will determine whether the BJP can strengthen its position in Rejinagar or whether AJUP, the Trinamool Congress factions, Congress or the CPI(M) can emerge as the leading challenger.
For AJUP, the outcome will also be significant because Kabir’s son is contesting the seat that his father previously won.
Political Significance
The Rejinagar result could provide an indication of voter sentiment in a constituency where the BJP is seeking to expand its support.
For Kabir, the bypoll has become particularly significant following his arrest and his latest remarks about withdrawing from electoral politics.
His prediction of a BJP victory has also added an unusual dimension to the contest. While he has predicted the BJP’s win, he has simultaneously questioned the legitimacy of such a result.
The final assessment, however, will depend on the official vote count and the Election Commission’s declared result.
Until the counting process is completed, claims by individual political leaders about the outcome remain predictions rather than confirmed results.
Conclusion
Humayun Kabir has hinted at quitting electoral politics after his arrest during polling for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll. He has also said he would stay away from the West Bengal Assembly while Suvendu Adhikari remains Chief Minister.
Kabir predicted that the BJP would win Rejinagar but alleged that such a result would not represent the voters’ genuine mandate. The allegations have not been independently verified, while the BJP has rejected opposition claims of irregularities.
With Kabir’s son Golam Nabi Azad contesting for AJUP, the October 9 counting will be closely watched. The result will provide the final verdict on the contest and determine the next political chapter for Rejinagar.
