Kishanganj: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly countered political strategist Prashant Kishor’s recent advice for him to concentrate on his Hyderabad constituency rather than engaging in Bihar politics. Addressing three election meetings in Bihar’s Kishanganj, Owaisi stated, “I have been coming here (Seemanchal) to show you all leaders what you have done to Bihar.”
Owaisi criticized the long-standing rulers of Bihar, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Janata Dal (United), alleging that despite their tenures, Bihar’s per capita income remains the lowest in the country.
He further asserted his consistent presence and commitment to Bihar, stating, “Nitish has been changing in Bihar, but I am still the same as I was 11 years ago when I first came here. I have tasted both successes and failures during these years, but I have never left you like these leaders.” He also took a swipe at Bihar’s political leaders, remarking, “Nitish Kumar is stuck in Rajgir while Lalu Prasad has only one goal — to make his son chief minister.”
Kishor had, during his election campaign in Kishanganj, suggested that local leaders should represent Seemanchal and that the Muslim community in the region should not repeat its 2020 electoral choices. The AIMIM had secured five seats in the Seemanchal region during the 2020 state elections.
Owaisi, who is independently contesting the upcoming Bihar elections after failing to secure a seat-sharing agreement with the opposition bloc, held rallies in Bahadurganj, Thakurganj, and for the Kishanganj assembly seat, supporting his party’s candidates.
The AIMIM has nominated 25 candidates across Bihar, with 14 from the four districts of Seemanchal – Purnea, Katihar, Araria, and Kishanganj. This region is known for its significant Muslim population, ranging from 30% to 70%, and currently has 11 Muslim MLAs representing it. Seemanchal contributes 24 out of Bihar’s 243 assembly seats.
The elections in Seemanchal are scheduled for November 11, with vote counting on November 14.