By Arpita Ghosh

Copyright timesnownews

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi will begin his Bihar Assembly election campaign with a four-day “Seemanchal Nyay Yatra” starting September 24. The Hyderabad MP will travel through the Seemanchal region from Kishanganj, holding roadshows and corner meetings in several constituencies, the party said Tuesday. The yatra will run until September 27. According to AIMIM, the campaign is aimed at uniting people of the region and pressing for its development. Owaisi has repeatedly raised concerns about Seemanchal’s backwardness and introduced a private member’s bill in Parliament seeking a Seemanchal Region Development Council under Article 371 of the Constitution. Seemanchal, located in north Bihar, comprises the districts of Purnea, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria, which together account for 24 Assembly constituencies. The region is considered crucial for both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. AIMIM contested 20 seats in Bihar’s 2020 Assembly polls and won five, all in Seemanchal. The seats were Bahadurganj, Jokihat, Amour, Kochadhaman, and Baisi. The party had earlier contested six seats in 2015 but lost all. Of the five AIMIM MLAs elected in 2020, four later joined the RJD. The party has indicated that it may field more candidates in the 2025 elections, saying several local leaders and social workers have shown interest in contesting on its ticket. For more than 30 years, Muslims in Bihar have largely backed the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its allies. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, however, often cites his government’s initiatives for the community since 2005 when addressing National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meetings. These include fencing of graveyards, registration and recognition of madrasas, and ensuring madrasa teachers receive pay equal to government schoolteachers. Muslims make up about 17.7% of Bihar’s population of over 13 crore, giving them a significant influence in deciding the outcome of elections. In the 2020 Assembly polls, none of the Janata Dal (United)’s 11 Muslim candidates won, though seven secured second place. In earlier contests, the party saw better results, fielding 13 Muslim candidates in 2010 – five of whom were elected – and five in 2015 when JD(U) contested in alliance with the RJD, as per the Hindu. The Bihar Assembly election is scheduled later this year. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the poll schedule. For all the latest news and india news, visit Times Now to get live updates and breaking news around the world.