As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections, political dynamics are in constant flux. The AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, continues its pursuit of joining the Mahagathbandhan, the main opposition coalition. However, they’ve faced hurdles, with Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav remaining unsupportive, and the Congress party also expressing reservations. In an effort to exert pressure, the AIMIM launched a new initiative. Akhtarul Iman, the AIMIM’s Bihar state president, organized a protest with supporters outside Lalu Prasad Yadav’s official residence in Patna, demanding the party’s integration into the Mahagathbandhan. Iman argued that a division of secular votes would indirectly help the BJP, advocating for all parties to unite for the elections. The party’s attempt to deliver a letter to Lalu Yadav failed, as there was no one available to accept it. Following the protest, Iman expressed his dismay that their letter was not even received. AIMIM leaders and workers addressed the media, emphasizing that the Mahagathbandhan would suffer if secular votes were divided, inadvertently benefiting the BJP. Iman cautioned against the RJD blaming the AIMIM if the Mahagathbandhan was unsuccessful in forming a government post-elections, stressing that the AIMIM had consistently strived to unite against the BJP. He attributed the alliance’s lack of progress to the RJD’s position. In July, the AIMIM had previously written to Mahagathbandhan leaders with a similar proposal, which was rejected. Following this, the AIMIM announced it would not be a part of the India alliance in the forthcoming Bihar assembly elections. Akhtarul Iman reaffirmed the AIMIM’s resolve to contest the elections, counting on its strong principles and public confidence.
