NEW DELHI: The five seats won by Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in Seemanchal region of east Bihar, where Muslim voters have a substantial presence, reflect the community’s willingness to diversify its options in areas where it feels secure that experimentation may not benefit BJP.Results show that AIMIM won five of nine constituencies with more than 40% Muslim population, with its Muslim candidates securing decisive victories. They defeated four Muslim candidates fielded either by Mahagathbandhan or JDU, and in one seat, the party defeated a Hindu candidate from BJP. In three of the five victories, AIMIM defeated NDA candidates, including two from JDU. The five seats won by AIMIM are Baisi, Jokihat, Bahadurganj, Kochadhaman and Amour.The party also fielded seven candidates in constituencies where Muslim population ranges between 25% and 40%, but it failed to win any of these seats, which went to NDA. Except for Congress, which won Kishanganj seat, neither RJD nor CPIML-Liberation registered a victory in the belt – marking a shift from the decades-long pattern of Muslims backing an RJD-led alliance. The outcome points to something larger – a desire to look beyond Hindu-led parties and prefer an outfit seen as their “own,” even at the risk of aiding BJP and its allies.This pattern first surfaced in the 2020 elections when Muslims in Seemanchal voted for Owaisi despite accusations from RJD and Congress that he was BJP’s “B-team.” AIMIM had then won five seats, though four later defected to RJD. Yet the party’s base does not appear eroded. Owaisi has tapped into the community’s “sense of hurt” over what political scientists term “invisibilisation,” pointing out how secular parties seek Muslim votes but hesitate to offer “fair” representation. The results indicate that many in the community are listening – something that may, in the future, force secular parties to confront tough choices over greater Muslim representation.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Bihar’s New MY Formula Is Mahila & Youth’: PM Modi Targets RJD-Congress After NDA’s Landslide Win‘Too Big To Fail’: South African Envoy On Trump’s G20 Boycott, Says PM Modi’s Presence Crucial‘Misa-Priyanka Ko Dickey Mein…’: Yashwant Deshmukh’s Message to RJD–Cong After NDA’s Bihar WinAir India Bombing Returns To Spotlight, CSIS Warns Canada Of New Extremist Networks And Rising RisksSix Ways Nitish Kumar Proved ‘Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai’ As NDA Registers Big Win in Bihar Assembly Polls‘Full Stop to Many Questions’ Chirag Paswan Hails PM Modi, Nitish as NDA Soars Past 200 SeatsKerala Teenager Dies in Dubai After Rooftop Fall While Trying To Take Photos of Low-Flying PlanesPakistan’s Costly Lobbying Blitz Won Access To Trump As India Faced The Harshest Tariffs, Claims NYTChilling Terror Attack Masterplan: How Medical Professionals Built A 5-Step Nationwide Bombing PlotBihar Assembly Poll Results: NDA Touches 200-Seat Lead, Congress Intensifies SIR, Vote Chori Attacks123Photostories5 easy exercises for building strong legs5 trending white gown designs for a traditional Christian weddingRed flags men ignore: 7 physical signs that may indicate fertility issuesTyping too long? 3 exercises for stiff and painful handsShah Rukh Khan closes the year powerful and proudEgg white versus egg yolk: Which one is healthier for breakfast7 dhaba-style dal preparations to try at home5 unique attractions in America that will make you say “I can’t believe this is real”!From BF Karan Kundrra wanting to marry her right after Bigg Boss to her near-fatal injury on Khatron Ke Khiladi: Tejasswi Prakash talks about life, career and loveSlow down aging naturally: 6 scientifically proven foods that work123Hot PicksAlinagar Election ResultRaghopur Election ResultBihar Election Result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingLaMelo BallGiannis AntetokounmpoJoel EmbiidAidan HutchinsonNHL Trade RumorLatin GrammyDak PrescottBrazilian Bodybuilder Found DeadPercy HarvinStephen Curry
NEW DELHI: The five seats won by Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in Seemanchal region of east Bihar, where Muslim voters have a substantial presence, reflect the community’s willingness to diversify its options in areas where it feels secure that experimentation may not benefit BJP.Results show that AIMIM won five of nine constituencies with more than 40% Muslim population, with its Muslim candidates securing decisive victories. They defeated four Muslim candidates fielded either by Mahagathbandhan or JDU, and in one seat, the party defeated a Hindu candidate from BJP. In three of the five victories, AIMIM defeated NDA candidates, including two from JDU. The five seats won by AIMIM are Baisi, Jokihat, Bahadurganj, Kochadhaman and Amour.The party also fielded seven candidates in constituencies where Muslim population ranges between 25% and 40%, but it failed to win any of these seats, which went to NDA. Except for Congress, which won Kishanganj seat, neither RJD nor CPIML-Liberation registered a victory in the belt – marking a shift from the decades-long pattern of Muslims backing an RJD-led alliance. The outcome points to something larger – a desire to look beyond Hindu-led parties and prefer an outfit seen as their “own,” even at the risk of aiding BJP and its allies.This pattern first surfaced in the 2020 elections when Muslims in Seemanchal voted for Owaisi despite accusations from RJD and Congress that he was BJP’s “B-team.” AIMIM had then won five seats, though four later defected to RJD. Yet the party’s base does not appear eroded. Owaisi has tapped into the community’s “sense of hurt” over what political scientists term “invisibilisation,” pointing out how secular parties seek Muslim votes but hesitate to offer “fair” representation. The results indicate that many in the community are listening – something that may, in the future, force secular parties to confront tough choices over greater Muslim representation.
