Owaisi Generates Both Admiration and Resentment in Seemanchal

The AIMIM has received mixed reactions in Bihar’s Seemanchal region. The party however, has nothing to lose.

Voters in front of the AIMIM campaign truck (Photo: The Quint)

The Seemanchal region in general, and Kishanganj in particular, are a natural choice for the AIMIM to expand to, given the low levels of development and high proportion of Muslims in the area. On the face of it, the party has nothing to lose.

They are completely new to Bihar politics and if they win any of the six seats they are contesting, it is quite the achievement.

However, as party chief Asaddudin Owaisi hinted to The Quint, the AIMIM is eyeing Bengal as a part of its expansion plans. The Seemanchal region borders West Bengal, which goes to polls next year, and a successful run here will certainly go a long way in cementing the AIMIM’s run in the neighbouring state.

The Owaisi Factor = Technology + Polarisation

Mohammad Irshad Khan rushed back home to Kishanganj from Siliguri in West Bengal, where he studies, the moment he finished his SSC exams. He has spent most of the last couple of months in Seemanchal volunteering for the AIMIM. He is a self proclaimed deewana of Akbaruddin Owaisi, who is more provocative than his older brother.

<p>I first saw Akbaruddin Sahab on YouTube a few years ago. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind and stand up for us.</p>

<p><b>Mohammed Irshad Khan, Student</b></p>

Mohammed Irshad Khan (right) is a self-proclaimed deewana of the provocative Akbaruddin Owaisi. (Photo: The Quint)

Whether or not the AIMIM will win any of the six seats it is contesting remains to be seen, but the party and the Owaisi brothers are certainly part of the conversation.

Mohammad Firoze Alam, a second year commerce student at Insaan Degree college in Kishanganj thinks that the AIMIM’s politics will hurt Kishanganj and Bihar in the long run.

<p>This a area where Hindus and Muslims live side-by-side peacefully. The AIMIM and Akbaruddin Owaisi will change that. I have seen many of his speeches on YouTube. Why is he so aggressive? Nitish Kumar has done so much for us, particularly in the field of education. If Owaisi wanted to help us, why would he help the BJP by fighting Nitish?</p>

<p><b>Mohammad Firoze Alam, Second Year Commerce Student at Insaan Degree College</b></p>

‘Bahari’ Owaisi is Generating Some Resentment

Chakla village is about 12 km from Kishanganj and falls in the neighbouring Kochadhaman constituency. The AIMIM candidate, Akhtar-ul Iman is a two-time MLA and used to be with the RJD. For Mohammad Tabir (65) the AIMIM is not an option even though he voted for Iman in the past.

<p>The BJP has been making this election about religion. And Owaisi is doing the same thing. Have you seen their [campaign] vans? They only have Owaisi’s face on them, not Akhtar’s. Why should I vote for a Hyderabadi? Nitish has done good work and now there is even the Mahagathbandhan.</p>

<p><b> Mohammad Tabir, Resident Chakla village</b></p>

Mohammad Tabir of Chakla village believes that both the BJP and the AIMIM are making this election all about religion. (Photo: The Quint)

At Akhtar-ul Iman’s residence-cum-campaign headquarters, there is a similar sentiment. One of Iman’s old associates, with him since 2005 and still part of the team handling his campaign is also unhappy with the AIMIM.

<p>They have come down from Hyderabad and taken over the campaign. In an election as crucial as this, the Muslim vote is divided.</p>

<p><b>Source in AIMIM, Kishanganj</b></p>

Win-Win for Owaisi?

Asaduddin Owaisi is fond of a particular quote from Kanshi Ram, the Dalit icon and man behind Mayawati’s rise: “The first election you lose, the second you defeat and the third you win.”

AIMIM campaign truck, featuring Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi. (Photo: The Quint)

Owaisi is looking to make his party grow and the national attention he has received with this campaign may well be reward enough for the effort his party is putting in. However, just in case Owaisi and the AIMIM are already in the second stage of Kanshi Ram’s proposed electoral journey, the BJP, so reviled by Owaisi stands to gain.