Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir suspended over proposal to build Babri Masjid replica in Murshidabad

The Trinamool Congress has suspended West Bengal MLA Humayun Kabir from the party. (File: PTI)

The Trinamool Congress of Thursday suspended Humayun Kabir, the sitting MLA from West Bengal's Bharatpur constituency, over his proposal to build a Babri masjid replica in Murshidabad.

The decision comes just ahead of Chief Minister and party chief Mamata Banerjee's protest rally against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise in Murshidabad district along the India-Bangladesh border.

"We noticed that one of our MLAs from Murshidabad suddenly declared that he would build the Babri Masjid. Why suddenly Babri masjid? We already warned him. As per the decision of our party, TMC, we are suspending MLA Humayun Kabir," party leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said while announcing the decision.

Humayun Kabir had announced his plan to lay the foundation stone of the Babri Masjid replica in Murshidabad's Beldanga on December 6 despite strong reservations from the party.

The Trinamool leadership was learnt to have earlier conveyed to Kabir that neither Mamata Banerjee nor the party would associate with his proposal to build a Babri Masjid replica in Bengal where elections are due to be held next year.

As per party sources, the MLA was asked to participate in the Chief Minister's programme in Murshidabad on Thursday. However, on the eve of Mamata's scheduled visit, Kabir went ahead and announced his plan to lay the foundation stone of the proposed replica on December 6, the anniversary of the demolition of the Ayodhya mosque.

The MLA's announcement also drew a reaction from West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose who questioned the state government over its inability to rein in the legislator despite the apprehension of a law and order problem.

"The reports I have received from the field, intelligence agencies, and local opinion leaders indicate that someone is deliberately trying to turn Murshidabad into a hub of scandal. This will not be allowed," he said.

The administration has been on high alert over Kabir's plans. The MLA does not have the requisite police permission to hold the December 6 event. However, authorities are on high alert given the lack of clarity on the venue of the programme.