Bihar Assembly Elections: AIMIM to contest 100 seats
What's the story
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced its decision to contest around 100 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. This is a significant increase from the number of seats it contested in the last elections, which was 20. The party, led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, hopes to create a "third alternative" in Bihar's political landscape, which has been dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal combine.
Election strategy
Mahagathbandhan can no longer accuse us of splitting secular votes
AIMIM state president Akhtarul Iman said, "Our plan is to contest 100 seats. Both the NDA and the 'Mahagathbandhan' will be forced to realize our presence." Mahagathbandhan is the name by which the INDIA bloc is known in Bihar. He also said that the Mahagathbandhan can no longer accuse them of splitting secular votes as they did in 2020. The AIMIM had contested the last assembly polls with Mayawati's BSP and Upendra Kushwaha's then-Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, winning five seats.
Outreach efforts
Owaisi's visit to Seemanchal region
Last month, Owaisi visited the Seemanchal region in Bihar to strengthen his party's support base among Muslims, who form over 17% of the state's population. Despite accusing RJD, JD(U), and Congress of neglecting Muslims, Owaisi is often accused of being a "B team of the BJP." Iman has also been instrumental in expanding AIMIM's reach in Bihar.
Election schedule
Bihar Assembly elections to be held in 2 phases
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. "Yes, we are also in talks with like-minded parties to explore the possibility of a third front. It will all be clear in a few days," Iman told PTI Bhasha. Despite past defections from his party, Iman remains optimistic about expanding AIMIM's footprint in Bihar politics.