Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, political activity in the state has intensified with the emergence of a new alliance. The party led by Asaduddin Owaisi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has officially announced an electoral alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) during a joint press conference.

Both parties declared that they will contest the upcoming assembly elections together, presenting the alliance as a “new political alternative” in West Bengal.

Owaisi: Will Contest with Dignified Representation

Addressing the press, Owaisi stated that AIMIM will contest the elections in West Bengal with strength and clarity of purpose. He alleged that minorities in the state have long been treated merely as a vote bank.
“We are here to provide people with a strong and honest political alternative,” he said.

Humayun Kabir: Beginning of Change

Humayun Kabir described the alliance as the “beginning of change,” emphasizing that AJUP has been strengthening its grassroots presence. He added that together with AIMIM, the alliance aims to represent the voices of the common people, especially backward and minority communities.

Seat-Sharing Formula

According to alliance sources, AJUP is expected to contest the majority of seats across the state, while AIMIM will focus on a limited number of strategically important constituencies. Reports suggest AIMIM may field candidates on around 8 seats, whereas AJUP could contest over 150 seats.

Focus on Minority-Dominated Districts

The alliance is likely to concentrate its efforts on districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur, where minority voters play a decisive role. Both parties are expected to jointly challenge opponents in these regions.

Criticism of TMC and BJP

During the press conference, both leaders targeted the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
They accused TMC of failing to deliver on promises and indulging in symbolic politics, while alleging that BJP is engaged in divisive and polarizing strategies.

Owaisi also clarified that the alliance is not a “B-team” of any political party and will operate independently, focusing on public issues.

Political Reactions and Impact

Following the announcement, political reactions have intensified. TMC, Congress, and Left parties have labeled the alliance a “vote-cutter,” suggesting it could split minority votes. However, political analysts believe the alliance may influence outcomes in several constituencies, especially in closely contested seats.

As West Bengal heads toward the 2026 elections, this newly formed AIMIM–AJUP alliance is expected to add a fresh dynamic to the state’s evolving political landscape.