Patna: AIMIM leader Waris Pathan blamed the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress for dividing minority votes during the Bihar Assembly election. He said both parties ignored AIMIM’s proposal to join the Mahagathbandhan with a request for six seats. He added that the refusal weakened minority representation in several constituencies.
Pathan dismissed allegations that AIMIM worked as the BJP’s B team. He said his party’s lead in multiple seats showed growing support in areas with large Muslim populations. AIMIM is ahead in Jokihat, Thakurganj, Kochadhaman, Amour and Baisi. He said the party expects to finish with seven or eight wins by the end of counting.
He criticised the Mahagathbandhan for what he called a tactical error. The alliance declared Vikassheel Insaan Party leader Mukesh Sahani as its Deputy Chief Ministerial face. Pathan said the decision ignored voter groups with higher population shares. He said the move reduced the alliance’s appeal in key regions.
He said AIMIM remains strong in the Seemanchal belt. The region has seen a rise in AIMIM’s presence over recent polls. Party leaders say the vote trends reflect local frustration with larger parties that failed to address issues of safety, representation and development for Muslim communities.
The NDA is on track for a large victory. Early trends show the BJP, JD(U), LJP, HAM and RLM holding a combined lead of 203 seats. BJP leads in 92 seats and JD(U) in 82. RJD leads in 26 seats and Congress in 4. AIMIM leads in 5 seats.
Pathan said the refusal of the Mahagathbandhan to accommodate AIMIM has weakened minority consolidation. He said the election results show the cost of ignoring communities that seek political space and accountability.
