Patna: As Bihar goes to the polls, political parties are vying for the support of Muslim voters, who make up nearly 17.7 percent of the state’s population, with over two crore people. Muslims hold decisive influence in at least 30 of Bihar’s 243 Assembly constituencies, especially in the Seemanchal region where they form between 40 and 60 percent of the population.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has fielded 25 candidates, focusing on Seemanchal and expanding into new areas of North and South Bihar. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which relies on the traditional Muslim-Yadav vote base, has nominated 18 Muslim candidates, while the Congress has given tickets to ten. The ruling Janata Dal United (JDU) has fielded four Muslim candidates, and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has one.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at an election rally in Darbhanga, emphasized the BJP’s achievements, including the Ram temple’s construction and the abrogation of Article 370. The party is banking on consolidating Hindu votes from upper castes and Extremely Backward Castes.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has highlighted his government’s welfare measures for Muslims, including financial aid to abandoned women and justice for the 1989 Bhagalpur riot victims. Many voters, however, say development, jobs, and governance outweigh religious rhetoric this election.
Locals note improved power supply and roads under the JDU-BJP coalition but express concern over a possible return to “Jungle Raj” if RJD wins. For Bihar’s Muslim electorate, the contest reflects a deeper question of security, development, and political voice.
