In a significant political twist in Bihar, Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) — long labelled as the B team of the BJP by rivals RJD and Congress — has expressed interest in joining the INDIA bloc’s Mahagathbandhan ahead of the state assembly elections.

The development, confirmed by AIMIM’s Bihar unit chief Akhtarul Iman, marks a notable turn in the state’s political narrative. The outreach to the RJD and Congress is seen as both a strategic electoral move and an attempt to dispel accusations that Owaisi's party indirectly helps the BJP by splitting anti-NDA votes.

AIMIM sends proposal to join Mahagathbandhan

Speaking to India Today, Akhtarul Iman stated that the party had reached out to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav through MLAs close to him, proposing an alliance. The pitch, Iman said, was made especially for the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region, where AIMIM has notable influence.

He added that while a formal response is still awaited, the RJD leadership has not rejected the idea outright. Importantly, he claimed that Owaisi has given a green signal to the state unit to explore the alliance independently.

Is it about elections or image management

While the outreach could potentially boost the INDIA bloc’s strength, critics suggest that AIMIM’s move might be a calculated image correction exercise. The party has frequently been branded as a vote-cutter — accused of helping the BJP by splitting Muslim and anti-NDA votes, particularly in sensitive regions like Seemanchal.

Akhtarul Iman preemptively addressed this concern, saying they want to be part of the Mahagathbandhan with full honesty, but if the RJD faces electoral damage, they should not blame AIMIM.

His remarks imply that if AIMIM is sidelined, the party will contest independently, and the responsibility for any vote division will lie with those who refused alliance opportunities.

Owaisi’s muscle in Bihar politics

AIMIM's recent electoral history in Bihar reveals a blend of promise and volatility. In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, AIMIM contested 20 seats and won five, securing over 5.23 lakh votes (1.24 percent). The party’s success, particularly in Seemanchal, was considered a key factor in RJD falling short of forming the government.

However, the triumph was short-lived. Within months, four of AIMIM’s MLAs defected to the RJD, reducing its legislative strength and casting doubts on its internal stability.

Still, Owaisi remains confident. During a recent visit to Kishanganj, he asserted that AIMIM would contest at least 100 seats in the upcoming elections and aim to win 24, a clear message to Tejashwi Yadav and INDIA bloc leaders about his party’s ability to influence the results.

Challenge to Tejashwi Yadav

AIMIM’s current approach can also be interpreted as a challenge to Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership of the opposition front. By seeking an alliance publicly, Owaisi is forcing the RJD to take a clear stand — either acknowledge AIMIM as a partner or risk splitting the Muslim vote base.

The move comes at a delicate time, as INDIA bloc members prepare strategies to take on the NDA in the 2025 Bihar elections, where religious and caste dynamics will once again play a pivotal role.

If Tejashwi accepts the proposal, it could strengthen the opposition in regions where BJP’s influence is limited. However, if the alliance does not materialise, AIMIM’s independent presence could become a thorn in the side of the RJD-Congress combine, as it was in 2020.

Muslim vote consolidation or political optics

At the heart of the matter lies the crucial Muslim electorate, especially in Seemanchal, which includes districts like Kishanganj, Araria, and Katihar. These constituencies have historically shown fluid voting patterns, shifting between RJD, Congress, and newer entrants like AIMIM.

Observers believe that AIMIM’s alliance pitch may also be aimed at reinforcing its position among Muslim voters by projecting itself as a team player rather than a spoiler.

If AIMIM is pushed away, it is likely to capitalise on the rejection by presenting itself as an honest political force sidelined for no fault of its own.

Conclusion: Strategic realignment or pressure tactic

With elections looming, AIMIM’s sudden interest in joining hands with the INDIA bloc could either signal a genuine intent to fight the BJP unitedly or a tactical manoeuvre to pressure the opposition.

If accepted, the alliance could help consolidate votes and alter the arithmetic in key constituencies. But if denied, AIMIM seems prepared to go solo — and will likely position itself as the only honest alternative for marginalised communities.

Either way, Owaisi has once again positioned his party at the centre of Bihar’s political storm, setting the stage for an intensely contested 2025 assembly election

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