Katihar: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday dismissed accusations that his party is the NDA’s “B-team” in Bihar, saying he had survived an attack a few years ago in the BJP-ruled state of Uttar Pradesh. Owaisi said that if he cannot find an alliance partner, his party will contest the upcoming assembly elections alone. Owaisi concluded his “Seemanchal Nyay Yatra” by addressing several public meetings in Katihar district.
According to media reports, Owaisi said, “The so-called contractors of secularism allege that we are the BJP’s “B-team” here. They should remember that six bullets were fired at my car during the 2022 UP assembly elections.” Accusing RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav of buying four of AIMIM’s five MLAs in Bihar, Owaisi said, “Despite this, I tried to form an alliance with a heavy heart.”
Owaisi further said that our state president Akhtarul Iman told me over the phone that people were upset that Owaisi was not interested in an alliance with the RJD-led Grand Alliance. I said, “Do as the people wish.”
Owaisi said that in our culture, when the father is alive, we contact him before talking to the son. So, Iman wrote a letter to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav informing him that AIMIM was ready for an alliance. Later, he also sent a letter to Tejashwi. Now, if they are not responding, what can we do?”
He claimed that when the alliance was proposed, the party’s state president had clearly stated that if the Grand Alliance forms the government, AIMIM would not demand any ministerial posts. Owaisi said that our only conditions were six seats, as we had already won five, and a written assurance that the Seemanchal Vikas Parishad would be established, but they were not interested. The AIMIM chief declared that even if no party forms an alliance, his party will contest the upcoming elections with full force. He said that tigers never move in packs.
He also expressed displeasure at RJD leaders calling him an outsider, saying, “I am not from another planet.” RJD leaders should ask their leader why they sent a person from Haryana to the Rajya Sabha. Now it remains to be seen what impact Owaisi’s travels and statements will have on the public during the elections. Only time will tell whether the party will contest the elections alone or in alliance.
