AIMIM wants a involvement in the Grand Alliance, especially due to declining mass base in Bihar. RJD-Congress’s strong hold on Muslim votes in Seemanchal is a challenge for Owaisi
A strange drama is being seen in Bihar politics. Asaduddin Owaisi’s party AIMIM is trying to join the Grand Alliance with its full strength, but the question is why? The party, which once talked about its own distinct identity and “third option”, wants to be a part of the alliance at any cost today. There is a hidden behind this restlessness, the politics of Seemanchal and a big strategy of Owaisi.
When AIMIM workers reached Lalu’s door with drums
A strange political scene was seen in Patna on Thursday. AIMIM’s Bihar president Akhtarul Iman along with hundreds of his supporters reached Lalu Prasad Yadav’s residence with drums and drums. “Lalu-Tejasvi open your ears, dhol is ringing on your door, open your door for alliance, otherwise you will open your own equation!” For example, the whole atmosphere resonated with sharp slogans. But the interesting thing here was that neither Lalu Yadav opened the door of his house nor the grand alliance. This dramatic protest reflects a deep political discomfort, behind which many layers are hidden.
Political Mathematics of Seemanchal: AIMIM’s real bets
There are districts like Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj and Araria in the Seemanchal region of Bihar, where Muslim population is quite high. AIMIM won 5 seats from this area in the 2020 assembly elections. But in 2022, 4 MLAs of the party joined the RJD, which weakened the condition of AIMIM. According to political experts, AIMIM’s grip in Seemanchal is weakening as Tejashwi Yadav has played an outspoken role against the Waqf law, which has increased his popularity in the Muslim community. At the same time, a strict attitude on Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Mohabbat shop’ and CAA-NRC has affected Muslim voters.
Attempt to avoid allegations of ‘BJP’s B-team’
AIMIM has been accused of being a ‘BJP’s B-team’ for a long time. Political experts believe that wherever AIMIM contests alone, there is a distribution of secular votes, which benefits BJP. Owaisi wants to join the Grand Alliance to avoid this charge. This is a clever political trick of him which will change the nectar and get rid of the image of ‘BJP’s B-Team’. Also, the possibility of coordination with secular parties will increase in other states.
Why RJD-Congress AIMIM does not want?
The leaders of the Grand Alliance are avoiding the alliance with AIMIM because Hindu voters may have a negative impact when standing with Owaisi. At the same time, the BJP can present it as a ‘radical alliance’. Also, RJD and Congress feel that Muslim votes are already in their favor.
Demand for only 6 seats
Akhtarul Iman has clarified that AIMIM neither wants the Chief Minister’s post nor any ministry. It is demanding only 6 seats. This strategy is important so that the big parties feel that AIMIM is not making any major claim and after joining the alliance, they will also have the scope for future expansion.
Owaisi’s election preparations in Delhi
Amid this development, Asaduddin Owaisi has held an important meeting with party leaders in Delhi. Many strategies were discussed in the meeting. For example, the party structure in Bihar is to re-erect, re-activate the workers, bring the party’s policies to the people and to prepare a strong local face in Seemanchal.
Vote sharing game: Who will benefit?
According to political experts, if AIMIM contests alone, secular votes will be disintegrated and Muslim vote will be divided between RJD, Congress and AIMIM. The BJP will directly benefit from this, the margin of victory in many seats may be reduced, especially in Seemanchal, electoral equations will become complicated.
AIMIM’s involvement of joining the Grand Alliance is not just a matter of electoral mathematics. It is part of a comprehensive strategy of Owaisi that includes strengthening its position in national politics, getting rid of the allegations of ‘BJP’s B-team’ and maintaining their relevance in Muslim politics. On the other hand, the dilemma of RJD and Congress is also understood. They want AIMIM’s votes but want to avoid the negative effects of Owaisi. The game has just begun hidden in the politics of Seemanchal, and its results will play an important role in deciding the direction of Bihar politics.