The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, is once again set to emerge as a factor in the upcoming Assembly election in Bihar. While the party claims to have made an impact in the State, it is, like in the past, concentrating its efforts on the Seemanchal region.
Seemanchal, located in north Bihar, comprises the districts of Purnea, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria, which together account for 24 Assembly constituencies. The region is considered crucial for both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc.
This time, AIMIM is pressing to be part of the INDIA bloc in Bihar. Its State president and MLA, Akhtarul Iman, even attempted to meet Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad but was unsuccessful.
In the 2020 Assembly elections, AIMIM won five seats in Seemanchal - Bahadurganj, Jokihat, Amour, Kochadhaman, and Baisi - giving a tough fight to candidates of both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. The party had earlier contested six seats in 2015 but lost all.
According to the 2023 caste-based survey, Muslim voters are decisive in 47 of Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats. In 11 constituencies, Muslims constitute more than 40% of the electorate, while in seven, the figure exceeds 30%. In 29 seats, Muslim voters account for 20%–30%. In parts of Seemanchal, their share goes up to 70%.
