Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM seems to be making unexpected political moves. The party, known for its stronghold in Hyderabad’s Charminar and its focus on Muslim-centric politics, is now eager to align with the Congress-RJD-led INDIA alliance in Bihar — a surprising turn given its past confrontations with these very parties.

So, what’s behind this strategic shift? Is AIMIM trying to shed its "BJP’s B-Team" tag, or is it trying to stop its Muslim vote bank from slipping away?

Owaisi’s Bihar Entry and Political Impact

In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, AIMIM shocked everyone by winning five seats in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region, out of the 20 it contested. The party’s performance hurt the Congress-RJD alliance, which eventually helped the NDA secure a majority.

However, the victory was short-lived. Four out of five elected AIMIM MLAs switched sides to RJD, leaving only Akhtarul Iman loyal to Owaisi. Despite this setback, Owaisi remains ambitious and now plans to contest 50 seats in the upcoming elections — not just in Seemanchal but across Bihar.

Sudden Shift: AIMIM Now Wants Alliance with INDIA Bloc

In a significant political turnaround, AIMIM’s Bihar state president Akhtarul Iman recently said the party is open to forming an alliance with RJD and Congress. He stated the need for a united front to stop “communal forces” from coming to power.

This is a drastic change from Owaisi’s earlier stance where he challenged RJD, vowing to take “revenge” by winning 25 seats in the next election. So why the sudden desperation to join hands?

The “BJP’s B-Team” Narrative Hurts Owaisi

The biggest challenge Owaisi has faced outside Telangana is the allegation that he divides Muslim votes, indirectly helping the BJP. Leaders from Congress, RJD, and Samajwadi Party have often branded AIMIM as BJP’s B-team — accusing it of spoiling the secular vote in tight races.

This narrative has deeply affected Owaisi’s credibility among Muslim voters in Bihar. The fear is that if AIMIM contests independently again, it might lose whatever support it had built, especially with the memory of four MLAs defecting to RJD still fresh.

By showing readiness to join the INDIA bloc, AIMIM aims to counter this perception, signaling that it is serious about defeating BJP and not just playing the spoiler.

Failed Experiments with Alliances in Maharashtra and Lok Sabha Polls

This isn’t the first time Owaisi has tried to partner with larger secular parties. He attempted alliances during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and in Maharashtra, but those moves didn’t materialize or succeed.

Political observers believe Owaisi already knows Congress and RJD won’t officially welcome AIMIM into the INDIA alliance. But by offering to join, he is sending a political message to Muslim voters — that AIMIM is ready to unite, but others are excluding them.

This tactic helps Owaisi deflect blame for vote division and win back lost goodwill.

The Muslim Vote Bank Dilemma

The core Muslim vote base in Bihar still prefers RJD and Congress. In the face of a direct contest between NDA (led by Nitish Kumar) and INDIA bloc (led by Tejashwi Yadav), many Muslims feel voting for AIMIM could be wasted, especially when the goal is to defeat BJP.

Moreover, RJD and Congress have taken stronger positions than AIMIM on issues like the Waqf Amendment Act and rising attacks on Muslims. This has further pushed the Muslim community toward traditional secular parties.

With many AIMIM leaders defecting from Seemanchal and the possibility of vote erosion, Owaisi’s political ground in Bihar seems shaky — hence the urgency to align with the INDIA bloc.

Conclusion: Political Compulsion or Smart Strategy?

Whether it’s a tactical move to escape the “BJP’s B-Team” image or a genuine attempt to consolidate anti-BJP votes, one thing is clear — Owaisi understands that Bihar 2025 will be a high-stakes game. And without a strong Muslim vote bank or alliance, AIMIM’s influence could shrink even further.

By positioning himself as a willing partner, Owaisi is trying to stay politically relevant, even if he’s kept out of the alliance. The big question now is — will RJD and Congress take the bait or continue to distance themselves?