<p>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. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Hyderabad-based political outfit has named local strongman and former RJD MLA Akhtarul Iman its state-unit president.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“No doubt campaigning has already begun, but who said we were nor working behind the scenes?” he said in reply to a question.</p>
<p>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. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Hyderabad-based political outfit has named local strongman and former RJD MLA Akhtarul Iman its state-unit president.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“No doubt campaigning has already begun, but who said we were nor working behind the scenes?” he said in reply to a question.</p>
