RJD’s Manoj Jha Hints AIMIM Should Reconsider Contesting Bihar Polls, Says ‘Not Contesting Can Serve Greater Purpose’

Patna: The possibility of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM joining the Grand Alliance in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections appears uncertain, as senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha issued a pointed response on Friday, suggesting that sometimes choosing not to contest elections can be a more effective way to serve a larger political cause.

The remarks came a day after Bihar AIMIM president Akhtarul Iman formally wrote to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, requesting that the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) be inducted into the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) — currently comprising the RJD, Congress, Left parties, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).

In his letter, Iman argued that AIMIM’s inclusion would help consolidate secular votes and prevent a split that could benefit the BJP-led NDA. He emphasized that AIMIM had attempted to join the alliance even during the 2020 Assembly elections, and this time, Owaisi had already spoken to leaders from Congress and the Left to express interest in joining forces.

However, Manoj Jha responded with caution, alluding to AIMIM’s limited influence outside Hyderabad and its controversial impact on secular vote banks. “Owaisi and his advisors are well aware of what happens when AIMIM contests elections in Bihar,” Jha said. “If your intent is to defeat the BJP and their divisive politics, sometimes not contesting can be the right decision. I hope he reflects on this.”

In the 2020 elections, AIMIM had allied with the BSP and RLSP, winning five seats in the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region. However, their presence reportedly splintered the secular vote, contributing to the Grand Alliance falling short by around a dozen seats. In 2022, four of the five AIMIM MLAs defected to the RJD, leaving only Akhtarul Iman as the party’s representative in the Assembly.