Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM Gains Traction Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections

Ahead of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, Asaduddin Owaisi's party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), is gaining significant attention across the state. On Sunday, the party officially announced the names of 25 candidates, most of whom are selected from Muslim-majority constituencies.

AIMIM’s stance is clear: they want to be the "voice of the marginalized," and this candidate list is a reflection of the ground realities in Bihar.

Among the names on the list are Mohammad Kaif from Siwan, Anas Salam from Gopalganj, Advocate Shams Agaz from Kishanganj, Rashid Khalil Ansari from Madhubani, and Mohammad Manzoor Alam from Araria.

Politically, AIMIM’s move is important for several reasons. First, the party is attempting to attract a segment of the minority vote by capitalizing on the internal turmoil within the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan).

Secondly, AIMIM is positioning itself between the two dominant political blocks—the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and India Block—making its presence felt. However, the key question remains: can Owaisi’s party have a significant impact on state politics?

In the 2020 elections, AIMIM had limited influence, securing only one seat in the Seemanchal region. However, that victory held symbolic importance. This time, the party is focusing on the same region again.

This shows that Owaisi knows where his audience is, and where his message resonates. On the other hand, the Congress party has already announced its first list of 48 candidates and a second list for five constituencies. However, internal disagreements within the Grand Alliance over seat distribution are already evident.

On the last day of filing nominations, the "friendly fight" between the RJD and Congress is highlighting their internal disputes. This presents an opportunity for parties like Owaisi's, as the more divided the minority vote, the more it benefits the NDA.

Many analysts believe that Owaisi’s party might not be a "kingmaker" in this election, but it could very well become a "kingbreaker." In other words, by splitting votes in key constituencies, AIMIM could weaken the opposition alliance. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishore’s "Jan Suraj" platform is also creating new political dynamics in the state.

Kishore’s party is focusing on attracting young, educated voters, many of whom are disillusioned with traditional politics. Amid this multi-layered competition, the outcome of the election remains uncertain, which could be where Owaisi's party finds its space.

The message from Owaisi’s party is simple—"We don’t talk about religion; we talk about rights." However, history shows that AIMIM has often influenced the BJP-opposed vote, indirectly benefiting the NDA.

As a result, there is growing concern among the opposition. The political temperature in Bihar is rising with each passing day, and at the center of this heat is Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who says, "We will prove here too that no one can neglect the poor and minorities anymore."