Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, has ignited political discussions in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Speaking at a public meeting in Darbhanga, Owaisi highlighted the lack of representation for the state's Muslim population, which constitutes approximately 19% of Bihar's total population.
Owaisi stated that while various communities like Yadavs, Paswans, and Thakurs have established leaders, the Muslim community in Bihar lacks a prominent figure to represent their interests. He argued that based on their population, there should be a significantly higher number of Muslim Members of Parliament. He questioned whether Prime Minister Modi could have passed the Waqf (Amendment) Act if there were more than 50 Muslim MPs.
This statement comes as Owaisi has begun his campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases, with the dates expected to be announced in the first week of October. AIMIM is focusing on the Seemanchal region, which includes the districts of Purnea, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria. This region has a significant Muslim population, with Kishanganj having the highest at 68%, followed by Katihar (44%), Araria (43%), and Purnea (38%). Seemanchal holds 24 Assembly seats.
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, AIMIM contested 19 seats and won five, all within the Seemanchal region. However, four of those five MLAs later defected to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). For the 2025 elections, AIMIM is expected to contest more constituencies.
Owaisi has expressed openness to forming an alliance with the RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, and has formally requested inclusion in the Mahagathbandhan. AIMIM has reportedly asked for six seats in the alliance. Owaisi has warned that if an alliance does not materialize, the people of Bihar will see who is helping the BJP.
AIMIM's campaign, named "Seemanchal Nyay Yatra," involves roadshows and public meetings in constituencies where the party has previously competed. The party aims to address the developmental gap in the Seemanchal region, which Owaisi attributes to the RJD and Janata Dal (United) governments.
Political observers believe that AIMIM's performance in Bihar, particularly in the Seemanchal region, could have broader implications for Muslim political dynamics in other states, such as Uttar Pradesh. In the 2020 elections, AIMIM contested as part of the Grand Democratic Secular Front (GDSF) and secured 14.28% of the votes in the 20 seats they contested.
The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for the Bihar legislative assembly elections soon. The current assembly's term is set to end on November 22, 2025. The main contenders for power are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the INDIA bloc, and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj Party.
