As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, an unusual case of mistaken identity has turned into a political comedy in Murshidabad. A fundraising campaign connected to a proposed ‘Babri Masjid’ construction has put the wrong legislator from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the spotlight, sparking both confusion and irony.

The Source of Confusion

The controversy revolves around Humayun Kabir, the suspended TMC MLA from the Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad, who reportedly laid the foundation stone for a new ‘Babri Masjid’ project. However, the confusion escalated when another TMC MLA bearing the same name—Dr. Humayun Kabir from Debra—found himself inundated with calls and donation offers intended for his namesake.

Phone Lines Flooded with Donations

Speaking to media outlets, Dr. Kabir of Debra said that his phone has been “flooded” with hundreds of calls . Most of the callers believed he was the Bharatpur MLA and were eager to contribute to the mosque’s construction fund.

“I have received over hundreds of calls from people offering to donate for building Babri Masjid. They mistook me for MLA from Murshidabad, Humayun Kabir,” he explained.
Adding humor to the situation, Dr. Kabir later shared a tongue-in-cheek post on social media playing on a famous Bollywood line: “I am not the leader; the leader is someone else. But yes, in politics, we stand together.”

The Real Fund Drive: Cash Still Being Counted

Meanwhile, the actual donation collection at Bharatpur has taken on massive proportions, both in volume and logistics.

Cash Count: By Monday evening, officials recorded ₹75,67,573 in cash collected from 10 donation boxes.

Bank Deposits: The total amount deposited in bank accounts has reportedly crossed ₹2.10 crore.

Logistics: The funds are stored in around 12 trunks and sacks, with about 30 people engaged in counting and organizing the cash.

Ongoing Contributions: Donations continue to arrive at the Bharatpur MLA’s residence, accompanied by fresh deliveries of construction materials like bricks and sand.

A Political Comedy of Errors

What began as a local fundraising initiative has now snowballed into a state-wide talking point, highlighting how a shared name can lead to political and public confusion. With elections around the corner, this episode has only added a touch of theatre to Bengal’s already dynamic political scene.

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