Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Janata Unayan Party (JUP) chairman Humayun Kabir ruled out any electoral understanding with the Congress, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) or the Communist Party of India (Marxist), signalling a shift in his party’s strategy.

Addressing reporters on Monday (February 16), Kabir said his party would not pursue seat-sharing arrangements with either the ISF or the CPI(M).

“ISF would not be there because it is delaying their decision on the issue of seats. They are trying to overplay me, hence we are quitting any sharing of seats with them and CPM [CPI(M)]on the same line,” The Indian Express quoted Kabir as saying.

The suspended Trinamool Congress MLA also clarified his stand regarding senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

“We will support Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury if he stands from Behrampur. He’s a great man, it’s individual support and not to the Congress party as a whole,” he said.

At the same time, Kabir expressed confidence about forging ties with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.

“The AIMIM will be with me. Some other parties will also ally with me, that’s for sure. In the coming days, we’re going to hold meetings with them.”

He further announced that the Janata Unayan Party would field candidates in the Bhabanipur and Nandigram Assembly constituencies, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari are set to contest in the Bengal Assembly elections.