Hyderabad : Taking another step for a pan India presence, the AIMIM on Saturday decided to contest the Bihar assembly elections.
Party president Asaduddin Owaisi announced that it will contest only from Seemanchal region of the state. He told reporters that the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) will soon announce the number of seats it will be contesting. Seemanchal region in Bihar comprising four districts accounts for 24 assembly seats in the 243-member assembly. He also announced that Akhtarul Iman will be the president of the Bihar unit of AIMIM. Iman, a three-time legislator of Bihar, quit the Janata Dal United last year. The Hyderabad MP said the backwardness of Seemanchal would be the main poll issue for his party.
“We will demand a regional development board under Article 371 of the constitution for the overall development of Seemanchal,” he said blaming the Congress, BJP, RJD and JDU for the region’s backwardness.
Owaisi, who addressed a public meeting in Seemanchal last month, made it clear that AIMIM would contest the elections on its own. He, however, did not rule out post-poll alliances.
“We are realistic about our chances. We know our strengths and weaknesses,” said Owaisi when asked why his party chose to contest in only one region. The Muslim leader said the party would carry Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). These sections make up 70 to 75 percent of Seemanchal’s population. “Why do you limit us to Muslims. You have Dalits, OBCs and various people. We are talking about development of Seemanchal which includes every section of society,” he said. For the rest of Bihar, Owaisi appealed to people to defeat communal forces.
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Parties unfazed by AIMIM’s Bihar entry
Ahead of the upcoming Bihar polls, parties preparing for elections on Saturday said AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi’s announcement of his party jumping into the fray is not going to affect anyone’s poll prospects.
“Owaisi’s party presence in fray will not affect our social support base in Bihar polls. We are confident that the grand alliance will perform well as expected, said JD-U spokesperson Ajay Alok. “We are not worried of Owaisi entry. The grand alliance will win all seats despite this development.” “Like what Owaisi did in Maharashtra polls, he wants to repeat in Bihar. But it will not happen here,” said Senior RJD leader Neyamatullah. “Owaisi’s entry in Bihar polls is not going to harm us,” said Congress spokesperson Prem Chand Mishra “BJP is ready to give tough fight to Owaisi’s party in polls in Seemanchal region. People in that region, particularly Muslims in sizeable numbers will support us,” said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain
“Bihar polls is different, if Owaisi thinks to fool Muslims, he will receive a certain set back,” said NCP leader Tariq Anwar.
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