KKN Gurugram Desk | As the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 approaches, political developments are unfolding rapidly. One of the most significant discussions in the state’s political arena is whether a major party will join the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). The key question remains: will Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Mahagathbandhan’s chief face for the upcoming elections, give the green signal for such an alliance?

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has been vocal about its intentions of joining the opposition alliance, and their spokesman Adil Hasan has made it clear that their primary objective is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar. Hasan pointed out the failures of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government in the state, and he suggested that the Grand Alliance could benefit from a broad coalition to challenge the BJP in the state’s elections.

AIMIM’s Push for Inclusion in the Mahagathbandhan

AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has been actively engaged in Bihar’s politics, particularly in the state’s Muslim-majority constituencies. The party has been making significant inroads among the minority community in Bihar and has expressed interest in strengthening its position by allying with other opposition parties.

Adil Hasan, the spokesperson for AIMIM, emphasized that their goal is to defeat the BJP in Bihar and that they believe the current NDA government has failed to address the real concerns of the people, especially in the areas of employment, development, and social justice. Hasan noted that the Grand Alliance, under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav, could be the right platform to bring about a change in Bihar’s political landscape.

The Bihar Grand Alliance has already been working with RJD, Congress, CPI(M), and other smaller parties, and the inclusion of AIMIM could significantly impact the equation in the upcoming election. However, it is unclear whether Tejashwi Yadav, who is leading the opposition alliance, will agree to bring in AIMIM as a partner, considering the political dynamics and the potential for seat-sharing conflicts.

Tejashwi Yadav and the Grand Alliance: What Are the Odds?

Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, has been gearing up for the 2025 elections with a focus on presenting the RJD as the party that can bring real change to the state. His leadership is central to the Grand Alliance’s strategy to take on the BJP-led NDA in Bihar.

Tejashwi has always been clear about his vision of uniting regional parties, but his alliance-building has so far been focused on parties like Congress, CPI(M), and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM. The inclusion of AIMIM could be a contentious issue within the Mahagathbandhan, especially because of the party’s growing influence among Muslim voters and its potential to disrupt the already delicate seat-sharing arrangements.

While Tejashwi Yadav has welcomed the idea of strengthening the opposition alliance, sources close to him suggest that he may be cautious about including AIMIM due to concerns about alienating certain factions of the Mahagathbandhan’s support base. The RJD, with its strong presence in Bihar’s rural and backward regions, may be hesitant to embrace a party like AIMIM, which has primarily focused on urban constituencies.

However, Tejashwi has always maintained that the priority for the Grand Alliance is to defeat the BJP, and he may eventually offer a compromise to ensure a larger, united front. The key to this will be finding a balance between the regional dynamics and ensuring a strong electoral challenge to the BJP in 2025.

The Current Political Landscape in Bihar: A Close Look at the NDA’s Performance

The NDA government in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from the Janata Dal-United (JD(U)), has been facing criticism for its failure to address critical issues such as unemployment, law and order, and development. BJP, which is part of the NDA, has also been embroiled in controversies over its handling of social and economic policies in the state.

AIMIM’s entry into the political fray has added to the pressure on the NDA, which is already struggling with internal divisions. Nitish Kumar, once a prominent figure in the Mahagathbandhan, had a falling out with the opposition alliance and later rejoined the NDA. His shift has raised questions about the stability of the NDA government and its ability to hold onto power in the upcoming election.

AIMIM’s rhetoric of defeating BJP aligns with the opposition alliance’s narrative of fighting against what they call the authoritarian policies of the BJP-led government at both the state and national levels. The presence of AIMIM could further sharpen the divide between the BJP and the opposition, potentially attracting more voters who are disillusioned with the current regime.

What Could Be the Impact of AIMIM Joining the Grand Alliance?

If Tejashwi Yadav and the Mahagathbandhan give the green signal for AIMIM to join the alliance, it could have several implications for the political landscape of Bihar:

1. Strengthening the Muslim Vote Base: AIMIM has a strong foothold among the Muslim population, particularly in urban areas. By joining the Grand Alliance, the opposition could consolidate the Muslim vote, which has been crucial in past elections in Bihar.

2. Seat-Sharing Arrangements: The inclusion of AIMIM could disrupt the existing seat-sharing arrangements among the RJD, Congress, and other alliance partners. The RJD, which has traditionally held significant sway in rural Bihar, would need to carefully balance the demands of all alliance partners to avoid internal conflicts.

3. Electoral Strategy Against the BJP: AIMIM’s inclusion could allow the Grand Alliance to expand its base and improve its electoral prospects against the BJP. The BJP has been working hard to solidify its position in Bihar, and the Grand Alliance will need all the support it can get to challenge the BJP’s dominance in the state.

4. Impact on Regional Parties: While the alliance may benefit from AIMIM’s entry, regional parties such as LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) and HAM may feel sidelined. These parties have their own support bases in the state, and balancing their interests alongside AIMIM’s inclusion will require careful negotiation.

AIMIM’s Role in the Bihar Election: Key Takeaways

AIMIM, under the leadership of Asaduddin Owaisi, has been a growing force in Bihar’s political landscape, particularly in Muslim-majority constituencies. The party has been vocal in its support for secular politics and has repeatedly called for a united opposition to defeat the BJP. If AIMIM joins the Grand Alliance, it could strengthen the opposition’s position and present a formidable challenge to the BJP-led NDA.

However, the inclusion of AIMIM in the Grand Alliance could also lead to tensions within the coalition. Tejashwi Yadav and other Grand Alliance leaders will need to carefully consider the impact on seat-sharing and the broader strategy before making any decisions.

The next few months will be crucial as Bihar Election 2025 approaches, and the dynamics between the Mahagathbandhan, AIMIM, and the NDA continue to evolve.

The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is shaping up to be a highly competitive and intense political battle. While AIMIM’s inclusion in the Mahagathbandhan could strengthen the opposition’s fight against the BJP, it also comes with its challenges, particularly around seat-sharing and coalition management.

The big question remains: Will Tejashwi Yadav give the green light for AIMIM’s entry into the Grand Alliance? Only time will tell as political leaders in Bihar navigate the complex landscape in the run-up to the 2025 elections.