New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) A mosque set to be established and named after Mughal emperor Babar, nearly five centuries posthumously, has emerged as a source of distress for West Bengal's Trinamool Congress, just months ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir's intention to lay the groundwork for a mosque inspired by the historic Babri Masjid in Ayodhya — after some initial reluctance — ultimately compelled the party leadership to suspend him.

This situation presents a significant political challenge for party Chairperson and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who must navigate the potential for communal tensions while addressing issues of party discipline.

Concerns loom over whether to risk alienating her fundamental minority support or to provide fresh leverage to the state’s main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The electoral strategy of the Trinamool Congress heavily relies on the dual support of women and the Muslim vote.

The government has rolled out several populist initiatives aimed at these demographics.

Nonetheless, as polarization appears to favor the BJP, the Trinamool Congress has been attempting what some experts describe as “soft Hindutva.”

Following backlash over a monthly stipend for mullahs and muezzins, the West Bengal administration introduced a similar financial support system for priests.

In tandem, it has begun constructing significant temples, including the recently unveiled Jagannath Mandir in Digha, East Medinipur district.

This indecisiveness has attracted criticism from multiple fronts, allowing other political factions an opportunity to capture minority votes.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has initiated a membership campaign in West Bengal’s minority-heavy areas.

Although Owaisi aimed to field AIMIM candidates in the 2021 Assembly elections, he opted against it — as an analyst suggested — likening it to introducing Hyderabadi biriyani to a region that prefers it prepared in the Awadhi style.

However, this time, AIMIM appears poised to explore the Bengali palate with its offerings after a satisfactory performance in neighboring Bihar this year.

Districts in West Bengal adjacent to Bangladesh, particularly Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar Dinajpur, boast Muslim populations ranging from 50% to 70%.

In April, violence erupted in Murshidabad following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, leading to unrest where homes were vandalized and set ablaze, forcing many Hindu families to flee.

The BJP and other opposition parties accused the administration of tacitly endorsing the violence.

They further allege that there are implicit agreements regarding illegal immigration from Bangladesh, which has reportedly altered the demographic landscape in West Bengal.

Murshidabad has historically been a stronghold for the Trinamool Congress, with all three Lok Sabha seats in the district currently held by Trinamool MPs.

In the last two Parliamentary elections, the party secured victories in Murshidabad and Jangipur.

Baharampur, traditionally represented by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for five consecutive terms, was won by Trinamool's Yusuf Pathan in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Out of the 20 Assembly seats within these Parliamentary constituencies (one seat lies in Nadia district), 18 were claimed by the Trinamool in the 2021 state elections.

Humayun Kabir represents Bharatpur, an assembly seat within the Baharampur Parliamentary constituency in Murshidabad district.

While the mosque construction itself is not the primary issue, the selection of the name Babar and the date for laying the foundation on December 6 is particularly significant.

December 6 marks the day the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished, leading to the construction of a Ram Mandir in its place.

In retaliation, Hindu groups have established trusts to commence building what they claim will be replicas of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir in the same district.

Mamata Banerjee's administrative prowess and political savvy will certainly be put to the test if both foundation stone laying ceremonies occur on December 6.