Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 8: As the Bihar Assembly elections draw closer, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has stirred the political waters by announcing its decision to contest four seats in the Mithilanchal region. The move has prompted concern among opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which fears a division of Muslim votes.

Congress leader Udit Raj voiced a strong appeal to Muslim voters on Wednesday, urging them not to repeat what he described as a past error. “A mistake was made in the previous election, which caused significant suffering over the past five years. This time, don’t divide your vote—stand united,” he told reporters.

The reaction follows AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s declaration on October 6 during a public rally in Kumrauli, located in the Jale constituency of Darbhanga district. Owaisi confirmed that AIMIM would field candidates in four seats—Jale, Bisfi, Keoti, and Darbhanga town—as part of its strategy to expand its influence beyond Seemanchal, where it secured five Assembly seats in the last elections.

Despite the apprehensions from Congress, some party members attempted to downplay AIMIM’s potential impact. Congress MP Manoj Kumar remarked, “It’s their democratic right to contest wherever they choose—four seats or fifty. But the voters of Bihar are much more aware this time and won’t be easily swayed.”

The announcement has rekindled the debate over vote fragmentation, particularly within the Muslim community—a key voter base that has traditionally supported the INDIA alliance, which includes the Congress and RJD. Many in the bloc worry that AIMIM’s participation could split the secular vote, ultimately benefiting rival parties.

The high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with results set to be declared on November 14. As parties gear up for the contest, AIMIM’s Mithilanchal foray adds a fresh twist to the unfolding electoral narrative.