Last Updated on October 12, 2026 12:29 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
TMC’s Split, Opposition Disunity and a Dramatic Political Reversal Reshape Murshidabad
By Aafreen Hussain / Kolkata
The October 9, 2026, Rejinagar by-election has marked a historic breakthrough for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won the constituency for the first time. BJP candidate Shankharavh Sarkar secured 1,29,914 votes, defeating Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) candidate Golam Nabi Azad, son of Humayun Kabir, by 75,816 votes.
Azad received 54,098 votes, while Congress candidate Abdullahil Kafi secured 6,168. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury polled 3,847 votes, CPI(M) candidate Md. Sayeed received 3,797, and Democratic Trinamool Congress candidate Safiuzzaman Saikh secured 2,044 votes.
From Humayun Kabir’s Victory to His Son’s Defeat
The result represents a dramatic reversal. In the April 2026 Assembly election, Humayun Kabir won Rejinagar with 1,23,536 votes, defeating the BJP candidate by 58,876 votes. After winning both Rejinagar and Nowda, he retained Nowda and vacated Rejinagar, paving the way for the by-election.
His decision to field his son turned the contest into a test of his personal political influence. The outcome suggests that Kabir’s electoral support did not automatically transfer to his son.
TMC’s Split and Opposition Disunity
The division within the Trinamool Congress further complicated the contest. Mamata Banerjee’s faction fielded Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, while the breakaway Democratic Trinamool Congress nominated Safiuzzaman Saikh.
The fragmented opposition struggled to mount a united challenge. Congress finished third, polling more votes than either TMC faction. Although the split may have affected opposition consolidation, the results alone cannot establish how individual voters shifted their preferences.
Humayun Kabir’s Political Fallout
The campaign witnessed further controversy when Kabir alleged administrative pressure and arrests of party workers. He was detained by police on polling day, October 6, prompting opposition criticism.
On October 7, Kabir claimed that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had assured him that his son would win Rejinagar by approximately 30,000 votes. The BJP rejected the allegation.
Expressing disappointment, Kabir apologised to voters and said he would not enter the Assembly chamber while Adhikari remained Chief Minister. He also spoke of withdrawing from politics.
What Lies Ahead?
Rejinagar’s verdict challenges assumptions about electoral politics in a Muslim-majority constituency. For the BJP, it is a historic breakthrough; for Humayun Kabir, a significant setback. The result also exposes the challenges facing a divided opposition.
Ultimately, Rejinagar demonstrates that personal popularity and family connections do not guarantee electoral success. The political consequences of this defeat may extend well beyond the constituency, reshaping the balance of power in Murshidabad.