As Bihar approaches the second and final phase of elections, the political dynamic in the northeastern region of Seemanchal is shifting. Muslim voters across Kishanganj, Araria, Katihar, and Purnea are articulating a growing sentiment: they will choose their political destiny without being guided by narratives branding certain choices as “dangerous” or “divisive.”
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has emerged as a significant player in this region over the past decade. Initially seen as a small political experiment, it has evolved into a symbol of self-respect for many, even those who do not vote for it.
AIMIM made its entry into Bihar’s political landscape in 2015 when Akhtarul Iman, a former leader of the RJD and JD(U), became the party’s Bihar state president. Iman contested the Assembly elections in Kochadhaman that year but narrowly lost against the JD(U) candidate, largely because Muslim voters favored the grand alliance at that time. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he finished third in Kishanganj. However, AIMIM achieved a milestone when Qamrul Hoda won the Kishanganj Assembly by-election later that year, becoming the party’s first MLA in Bihar.
The 2020 Assembly elections solidified AIMIM’s presence by winning five seats in the Seemanchal region, but a split occurred in June 2022, when four of its MLAs joined the RJD, leaving Akhtarul Iman as the party’s sole representative in the Bihar Assembly.
Despite this, AIMIM remains a force that cannot be ignored, particularly in Seemanchal. Abdul Rahim, a mobile repair shop owner from Araria, expressed a notable shift in voter mentality: “Earlier, we only voted to stop someone. Now we vote to make someone answerable.”
AIMIM has often been labeled a “BJP B-team” by non-BJP parties, particularly the Congress, which accuses it of splitting Muslim votes. For many in Seemanchal, this narrative feels more like a silencing tactic than a valid critique. College student Rukhsar Parveen stated, “If we choose differently, they say we’ve betrayed secularism. But what have they done with our trust all these years?”
The development question in Seemanchal remains an ongoing issue. Despite political promises, the region continues to lag behind in metrics like infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Zainab Begum, a small shop owner in Purnea, noted, “They built a board saying an airport is coming, but the land still has weeds.”
For the electorate, development has become a hollow term. People like Farhat Ali, a farmer from Thakurganj, criticized the government’s approach: “Maybe they think vikas means posters.” The lack of visible change has bred skepticism towards political commitments. “When leaders say development, we hear delay,” said Sajida Khatoon, a school teacher from Bahadurganj.
AIMIM has influenced political conversation, prompting some critics to reassess their positions. Even those who may not vote for the party recognize its role in reflecting the failures of larger parties. Voters indicate a desire for local representation, exemplified by Rukhsar, who stated, “If someone from here speaks for us, that’s enough.”
Akhtarul Iman outlined his party’s commitment: “We stand with the poor, the marginalized, and those whose voices are ignored.” He believes AIMIM’s presence has prompted improvements in infrastructure and development projects in the region.
Looking ahead, while AIMIM’s organizational structure in Bihar may be delicate, its ideological presence in Seemanchal is stronger than its current seat count. By shifting the conversation towards representation, AIMIM has changed the interplay of political discourse in the state.
As political parties, including the BJP, tout development projects as evidence of progress, many in Seemanchal remain unconvinced. Trust appears to be an elusive element in the equation. Voters continue to express frustration at being treated as pawns in ideological battles, with concerns about basic amenities often overshadowed by communal narratives.
Sajid Alam encapsulated the sentiment: “We are not someone’s B-team. We are the main team of our own survival.” In Seemanchal, voters are increasingly choosing to assert their voices and seek dignity in their political choices, challenging long-standing narratives and calling for genuine representation.
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