AIMIM to contest Bihar polls from Seemanchal

The All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which is pitching for a pan-India status, has decided to jump into poll fray in Bihar from the Seemanchal region in the northeastern part of the state.

The Hyderabad-based political outfit has named local strongman and former RJD MLA Akhtarul Iman its state-unit president.

At a press conference at the party headquarters in Darus Salam here on Saturday, AIMIM chief and local MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the party would test electoral waters from Seemanchal — a region ridden with illiteracy and backwardness.

“Majority population of the underdeveloped region are Dalits, and the Majlis has always stood behind them. We are also fielding Dalits in some seats in the Assembly elections,” he said.

However, although the party has shortlisted the names of its candidates, Owaisi declined to declare the exact number of seats it would contest in Bihar. “As a matter of strategy, we will not disclose the number,” he said.

Owaisi also said the AIMIM would fight for special status for the Seemanchal region by demanding a separate Regional Development Council under Article 371. It would, however, go it alone in the elections, hoping the necessary groundwork had already been done.

“No doubt campaigning has already begun, but who said we were nor working behind the scenes?” he said in reply to a question.