AIMIM's Bihar state president, Akhtarul Iman, has written a letter to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, offering to include AIMIM in the Grand Alliance.
Asaduddin Owaisi: The political atmosphere in Bihar is heating up in anticipation of the upcoming assembly elections. Meanwhile, Akhtarul Iman, the Bihar state president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has sent a letter to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, expressing a desire to join the Grand Alliance. AIMIM believes that if they join the Grand Alliance, the scattering of secular votes can be prevented, and a b challenge can be posed to the BJP.
However, RJD's senior MP Manoj Jha has responded sharply to AIMIM's offer. He said that Asaduddin Owaisi's political base is primarily limited to Hyderabad, and the people of Bihar are also familiar with this reality.
Speaking to ANI on Friday, Manoj Jha said, "If Asaduddin Owaisi genuinely wants to defeat the politics of hatred of the BJP, then sometimes not contesting elections can also be a strategic decision. This election in Bihar is very important, so it is the responsibility of all parties that votes should not be divided."
Direct appeal from Manoj Jha to Owaisi
Manoj Jha further said that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has drawn a long line of development, which the entire Bihar is watching. Owaisi should also think in the same context and understand that if the Grand Alliance is to be strengthened, decisions will have to be taken above personal ambition. According to him, many times in politics, there comes a time when the path ahead is made by stepping back from the election. If Owaisi's real aim is to stop the BJP, then he should consider this seriously.
What was in AIMIM's letter?
It is noteworthy that in the letter Akhtarul Iman wrote to Lalu Yadav, AIMIM clearly stated that they want to join the Grand Alliance and fight a joint battle against the BJP. The letter also stated that to prevent the division of secular votes, it is necessary that all parties with similar ideologies come together and enter the field. Akhtarul Iman wrote, "If we fight together, the secular votes will not be scattered and it will be easier to form a government of the Grand Alliance."
The Grand Alliance's conditions for Owaisi
The statement of Manoj Jha clearly indicates that the RJD does not have any immediate plan to include AIMIM in the Grand Alliance, but indirectly, Owaisi is being given the message that if he wants to stop the BJP, then instead of staking a claim on seats, he should change the way of cooperation and it would be better to not contest elections in some places.
According to political analysts, the RJD is also cautious about Owaisi's image because in Bihar, AIMIM is often promoted as the BJP's 'B-team'. This is why Manoj Jha, questioning his 'political intentions', said that if Owaisi sincerely wants to defeat communal forces, he should be ready to make some sacrifices.
The impact of this rhetoric will be clearly visible in Bihar. On one hand, AIMIM wants entry into the alliance in the name of secular votes, on the other hand, the RJD is looking at it with suspicion and is giving a clear indication that if it wants a place in the Grand Alliance, then the conditions will have to be accepted.
