Asaduddin Owaisi Wants to Team Up with RJD for Bihar Elections—But Will It Work?
Bihar’s political scene is buzzing again, and this time, there’s an unexpected twist. You know how it usually goes—NDA vs. Mahagathbandhan, Nitish Kumar vs. Tejashwi Yadav. But now, Asaduddin Owaisi, the AIMIM chief, is throwing his hat in the ring. He’s talking about joining forces with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan to stop the NDA. Smart move or risky gamble? Let’s break it down.
Bihar’s Messy Political Playground
Bihar politics isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s like a high-stakes game where caste and religion are the trump cards. On one side, you’ve got Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and the BJP’s well-oiled election machine. On the other, Tejashwi’s RJD banking heavily on the Yadav-Muslim vote bank. And then there’s AIMIM—small but dangerous, especially in Muslim-heavy areas. Thing is, Owaisi’s party has always been that annoying third wheel. But this time, he might actually matter.
Owaisi’s Big Play
Here’s the shocker—Owaisi, who usually plays the outsider, is suddenly cozying up to the RJD. And it makes sense. AIMIM bagged five seats last time, which isn’t huge but enough to be a spoiler. With Bihar’s Muslims making up 17% of voters, Owaisi’s move could shift the math. But let’s be real—this isn’t about ideology. It’s pure politics. He’s betting that teaming up with RJD will squeeze the NDA. Question is, will Tejashwi bite?
Can These Two Even Work Together?
Honestly? It’s complicated. RJD and AIMIM have been at each other’s throats for years. Remember how Lalu used to call Owaisi a “vote-cutter”? Now his son Tejashwi has to decide if shaking hands with AIMIM is worth it. Sure, it might lock in Muslim votes. But here’s the catch—it could also scare off Hindu voters and make RJD’s “secular” tag look shaky. Even Congress, RJD’s ally, is side-eyeing this idea. Polarization is the last thing they need right now.
Why This Might Backfire
The biggest problem? Optics. If RJD ties up with AIMIM, the BJP will have a field day painting it as “minority appeasement.” And let’s not forget—AIMIM has this reputation for divisive politics. So while Owaisi brings votes, he also brings baggage. For RJD, it’s like choosing between short-term gains and long-term damage. Not an easy call.
What This Means for NDA
Funny thing—this alliance could actually help Nitish and BJP. How? By uniting Hindu voters under the NDA banner. The BJP’s Hindutva pitch plus Nitish’s development claims might suddenly sound more appealing if people see RJD-AIMIM as “too Muslim.” Politics in Bihar is weird like that—sometimes your opponent’s moves help you more.
What Voters Think
Talk to people on the ground, and reactions are all over the place. Some Muslims love Owaisi’s move—finally, a strong voice. Others worry it’ll just make Hindus vote BJP in bigger numbers. And caste? Oh, that wildcard never leaves the table. Yadavs might stick with RJD, but Dalits could swing either way. Analysts are split too—some call it bold, others call it desperate.
Has This Worked Before?
AIMIM has tried this playbook elsewhere—Maharashtra, Telangana—with mixed results. In Bihar last election, they were small but noticeable. Won a few seats, spoiled a few others. That’s the thing about Owaisi—he doesn’t need to win big to change the game. Even a 2-3% vote shift can wreck someone’s plans.
So What Happens Now?
Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. This could either be a masterstroke or a spectacular flop. If the alliance happens, NDA will weaponize it. If it doesn’t, Owaisi might run solo and split anti-NDA votes anyway. Either way, Bihar’s election just got a lot more interesting.
FAQs (Because Everyone’s Asking)
Why is Owaisi doing this now?
Simple—he wants AIMIM to be more than just a protest vote. This is his shot at relevance.
Will NDA benefit from this drama?
Maybe. Hindu consolidation is real, and BJP knows how to milk it.
Biggest risk for RJD?
Looking like they’re ditching secularism for votes. That image is hard to rebuild.
Has AIMIM ever won big in Bihar?
Nah, but they don’t need to. Five seats last time changed outcomes in twice as many.
What should we watch for next?
Tejashwi’s face when reporters ask about this. And whether Congress throws a tantrum.
Source: News18 Hindi – Nation
