Bihar twist: Owaisi, dubbed BJP's 'B team' by RJD, Congress, wants to join INDIA
Often dubbed as the BJP's 'B team', Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM has expressed interest in joining hands with the RJD and Congress in Mahagathbandhan for the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar. The development was confirmed to India Today on Tuesday by Akhtarul Iman, president of AIMIM's Bihar unit. He said that they have contacted RJD's Tejashwi Yadav with the proposal, but a response is yet to come.advertisementEven as prospects of a mega-alliance linger, questions are being raised about whether Owaisi's intent is indeed to become a part of the Mahagathbandhan to fiercely take on the NDA, or a casual move devoid of any seriousness to shrug off BJP's 'B team' allegations.OWAISI SENDS FEELERS TO TEJASHWI YADAVThe Bihar unit of AIMIM recently got in touch with a few MLAs of the RJD and Congress to send feelers to the top brass of both parties regarding Owaisi's interest to being a part of the Mahagathbandhan. However, a response is yet to come from the decision makers.
Akhtarul Iman told India Today that the AIMIM contacted Tejashwi Yadav through a few RJD legislators close to him with a proposal of both parties forging an alliance, especially in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region of Bihar.advertisement"We are against the BJP and therefore have reached out to Tejashwi Yadav with a proposal to be part of the Mahagathbandhan through their MLAs. Now the ball is in his court to take a decision in this regard. His MLAs have informed me that my proposal was under consideration and has not been rejected so far," Iman said.He further said that Owaisi has given a green signal to the state unit of AIMIM to move ahead with the proposal to be part of the Mahagathbandhan."We have spoken to Asaduddin Owaisi regarding the state unit of AIMIM keen on being part of Mahagathbandhan, and he has given us full freedom to initiate talks with the RJD and Congress leaders," Iman told India Today.ATTEMPT TO BRUSH OFF B TEAM TAG?Akhtarul Iman, however, firmly said that if the AIMIM's proposal to join Mahagathbandhan does not happen, the party should not be blamed for damaging the RJD in the upcoming elections, as has been alleged by Tejashwi Yadav, who called Owaisi the "B team" of the BJP."We want to be part of the Mahagathbandhan with full honesty, but I will also try to send a message that if tomorrow the RJD faces electoral damage, they should not blame us", Akhtarul Iman said.advertisementHis comments make the proposal look more like a political strategy to send a message to the Muslim voters of the eastern state that the AIMIM wanted an alliance but was pushed away.During his last visit to Bihar's Kishanganj, Owaisi said his party was ready to contest at least 100 seats and would target winning at least 24 of them. This served as a firm message to Tejashwi Yadav of the AIMIM's calibre to cause damage.OWAISI CHALLENGES TEJASHWI YADAVIn 2020, the AIMIM contested 20 seats and won five in the Bihar assembly elections. The party pulled 5,23,279 votes (1.24%). However, after a few months, as many as four MLAs of the party rebelled and joined the RJD.Owaisi's party's performance in the 2020 polls was, perhaps, one of the vital reasons why the RJD fell short of forming a government in the state. The AIMIM caused severe damage to Tejashwi Yadav's side, especially in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region.Trending Reel
IN THIS STORY#Asaduddin Owaisi#Tejashwi Yadav#Rahul Gandhi#Bihar#Bihar Assembly Elections
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