Patna: The decision of MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to contest the Bihar Assembly elections from areas dominated by the minorities in Seemanchal has started changing the political contours.
Mr Owaisi’s decision to contest from the four districts of Seemanchal comprising 24 seats has forced the secular parties including the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance to rework their strategies to attract Muslim votes.
The Seemanchal districts — Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar — are considered sensitive as they lie along the Indo-Bangladesh border. These districts are home to minorities whom the BJP and the RSS suspects are “Bangladeshi infiltrators.”
Nearly half of the 24 seats are held by the BJP while the rest are with the grand secular alliance. RJD leader Taslimuddin from Araria was the dominant leader from the area.
The RJD and JD(U) denied that Mr Owaisi would make inroads into the Muslim votes. Senior JD(U) leader and spokesperson Ajay Alok said, “Owaisi’s entry into Bihar will not affect our prospects as our alliance is contesting on the basis of the work done by Nitish Kumar government. We are confident that the grand secular alliance will win in, Bihar no matter who comes in.”
BJP leaders feel Mr Owaisi’s entry will help the party. Party senior leader and national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain claimed, “BJP will give tough fight to MIM. I am sure minorities in the area will support our party”.
In New Delhi, the Congress took potshots at Mr Owaisi saying he would expand the boundaries of the BJP but not of the MIM.
