“We would rather sit in the opposition for another 20 years than align with those building the Babri Masjid in Bengal,” Shah said, drawing a sharp distinction between his party and Kabir.

Viral video sparks political firestorm

The controversy centres around a viral video in which Humayun Kabir is purportedly heard claiming links with senior BJP leaders and alleging a Rs 1,000 crore deal to defeat the Trinamool Congress.

The video, however, has not been independently verified by IBNS.

While the Trinamool Congress criticised both Kabir and the BJP over the claims, both sides have dismissed the video as fabricated and politically motivated.

Kabir had earlier drawn attention for attempting to build a mosque in West Bengal styled after Ayodhya’s Babri Masjid, a move that intensified political tensions in the state.

'North Pole–South Pole': BJP distances itself

Sharpening his attack, Shah invoked a stark analogy to underline the divide.

“Humayun Kabir and the BJP are like the North Pole and the South Pole. We can never align,” he said, also accusing Mamata Banerjee of being capable of producing “2,000 such videos”.

Kabir denies claims, alleges AI manipulation

Kabir rejected the allegations, claiming the video was generated using artificial intelligence to malign him.

He accused the Trinamool of attempting to influence minority voters and threatened legal action if proof was not provided.

The controversy has already had political consequences. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which had extended support to Kabir’s party, announced it was ending its alliance with the Aam Janata Unnayan Party.