Humayun Kabir is set to challenge West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's minority vote bank after launching his Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP).
Kabir, a former TMC leader, is contesting the Bengal polls on two seats: Rejinagar and Naoda.
He shot to fame last year after proposing the construction of a Babri-like mosque in Murshidabad's Beldanga, which led to his expulsion from the TMC.
Kabir started his political journey from Congress, later moved to Trinamool and then joined the BJP after being expelled from TMC.
He won the Bengal polls in 2021 from Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad district on TMC ticket and enjoys a considerable influence in the Muslim-majority region.
The upcoming election will be a litmus test for Kabir and his party in their bid to consolidate minority voters in the Murshidabad region.
