New Delhi, Sep 26 (NationPress) With the Election Commission poised to unveil the Bihar Assembly election schedule shortly, discussions are intensifying to create a united Opposition front against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is currently under the leadership of Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar.

The primary contender, similar to the 2020 elections, is anticipated to be the Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance, primarily consisting of Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Left parties, and the Congress.

Preliminary surveys and field reports suggest that poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor’s newly established Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) could play a pivotal role in a closely contested race akin to 2020, as it garners support in southern Bihar.

Kishor appears determined to proceed independently.

Another party showing potential influence over minority voters, particularly in Bihar’s border regions, is AIMIM, led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. It has expressed interest in joining the MGB and aims to contest six of Bihar's 243 Assembly seats.

Previously, it was part of a six-party third alliance known as the Grand Democratic Secular Front (GDSF).

Currently, the NDA is reportedly nearing a seat-sharing agreement with its primary constituents—the JD(U) and BJP—with a near-equal distribution of slightly over 200 seats, reserving around 40 for other allies.

In this clash of titans, namely the NDA versus the Mahagathbandhan, the fate of several constituencies could rest in the hands of smaller parties, which may or may not affiliate with either alliance.

In the 2020 elections, a record 212 parties participated, with 190 of them securing less than 0.1 percent of the votes, while all minor parties collectively accounted for about 2.7 percent of the overall mandate, as per an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Adding to his chief’s viewpoint, AIMIM spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar mentioned that the party has sent individual letters to RJD leader Lalu Prasad and his son, Tejashwi Yadav, who is the de facto chief.

This was followed by a significant demonstration outside their residence in Patna, with AIMIM members drumming up support to highlight their request.

As of now, the RJD has not responded.

Encouraged by the narrow outcome in 2020, leader Tejashwi Yadav has commenced dialogues with potential allies and has taken to the streets to gauge public sentiment. AIMIM is believed to have support in certain areas of Seemanchal—a border region in Bihar.

In the previous election, it won five out of the 20 seats it contested. Leaders of the Mahagathbandhan had criticized Owaisi for their coalition losing the 2020 election by a narrow margin. However, subsequently, four of the elected AIMIM MLAs defected to the RJD.

Interestingly, Seemanchal voters represent a significant portion of the Muslim community. Historically seen as RJD supporters, they were perceived to have shifted their allegiance last time based on religious factors. Nevertheless, the NDA secured 12 out of 24 seats in Seemanchal during the last election.

Some analysts believe that if AIMIM integrates into the Mahagathbandhan, it could not only consolidate Muslim votes in this region but also influence the entire Muslim demographic across the state, which constitutes about 17 percent.

Conversely, recognizing an alternative Muslim leadership might undermine the RJD's core 'Muslim-Yadav (MY)' narrative, suggesting that it is not the singular champion of minority issues in the state.

Moreover, incorporating AIMIM could expose the Mahagathbandhan to heightened accusations of “communal polarization” from the NDA.

This narrative could be leveraged against the broader Opposition INDIA Bloc in future state elections.

Additionally, there are internal concerns within the Mahagathbandhan regarding AIMIM’s political ambitions and organizational discipline.

Critics assert that the party aims to create divisions among minority voters to benefit the BJP. Furthermore, the defection of a majority of its elected officials reflects poorly on its leadership control.

–IANS