Last Updated:
AIMIM leads in seats such as Jokihat, Kochadhaman, Amour, and Baisi, all of which the party won in the 2020 elections
The AIMIM’s unexpected perseverance in Seemanchal underscores the fractured nature of Bihar’s regional politics and the party’s consistent ability to disrupt the electoral arithmetic of the major alliances. File pic/PTI
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has demonstrated a surprising resilience in the ongoing Bihar assembly election results, defying predictions of a complete rout by nearly all exit polls. While the party secured a breakthrough victory in five seats in the 2020 assembly polls, early trends on counting day show the party leading in six constituencies this time, primarily within its traditional stronghold of the Seemanchal region.
This performance is a significant rebuttal to pre-poll forecasts, which largely overlooked the party and suggested a consolidation of the minority vote in favour of the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc), particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. The unexpected resurgence highlights AIMIM’s ability to maintain and, in some pockets, expand its influence in a region with a substantial Muslim population, comprising the districts of Araria, Katihar, Kishangan, and Purnia.
The Seemanchal Stronghold
The party’s performance is concentrated in Seemanchal, where early trends indicate leads in seats such as Jokihat, Kochadhaman, Amour, and Baisi, all of which the party won in the 2020 elections. The success comes despite major setbacks in the intervening years, notably the defection of four of its five Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to the RJD shortly after the last election.
AIMIM’s ability to rebuild its support base and secure leads, despite the loss of three of those defector MLAs who were then denied tickets by the RJD, underscores a fundamental political challenge to the Mahagathbandhan. The Mahagathbandhan had banked on the argument that a vote for AIMIM splits the minority vote, thereby indirectly aiding the NDA.
Leading the charge once again is Akhtarul Iman in the Amour constituency, who was the sole MLA to remain loyal to the party after the 2020 defections and is now maintaining a substantial lead.
A Challenge to the Mahagathbandhan
AIMIM leaders have been quick to leverage the results to attack their opposition, arguing that the RJD and Congress are responsible for the “division of minority votes” by refusing to ally with the party. AIMIM’s state leadership claimed they had offered to join the Mahagathbandhan coalition for a minimal allocation of just six seats, an offer that was rebuffed.
While the overall trends point towards a decisive victory for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) across the state, the AIMIM’s unexpected perseverance in Seemanchal underscores the fractured nature of Bihar’s regional politics and the party’s consistent ability to disrupt the electoral arithmetic of the major alliances. The party’s performance ensures its continued relevance as a key political player, particularly in the northern districts, forcing future alliances to seriously consider its presence.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 14, 2025, 16:33 IST
Read More
