Why is Shiv Sena Criticizing RJD-Congress for Labeling Owaisi’s AIMIM as BJP's B-Team?

New Delhi, July 17 (NationPress) On Thursday, Shiv Sena criticized the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress for labeling Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), as the “B-Team” of the BJP.

The Shiv Sena accused both parties of exhibiting “arrogance” and “hypocrisy”, asserting that their dismissal of AIMIM’s proposal to join the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar highlights an “ego-driven” political attitude.

This strong response from Shiv Sena followed RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari's claim that Owaisi’s party has persistently aimed to fracture secular votes, inadvertently aiding “communal forces”.

Tiwari's statements came after Congress rejected AIMIM’s invitation to join the Mahagathbandhan ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, branding AIMIM as a “communal party” and dismissing any potential alliance.

In reaction to these developments, Sanjay Nirupam, a leader of Shiv Sena, remarked, “It is regrettable that RJD and Congress view Bihar as their personal domain. AIMIM’s proposal to join the Mahagathbandhan was a commendable move towards unifying secular votes against the BJP and NDA. Instead of embracing them, both Congress and RJD have rebuffed the suggestion.”

He further stated, “What sort of secularism is this? If AIMIM, a secular party in its own right, wishes to collaborate to defeat the BJP, their support should be welcomed. By disregarding Owaisi, RJD and Congress have unveiled their egos. They no longer possess the right to accuse him of aiding the BJP.”

Nirupam also highlighted that Owaisi’s party, while headquartered in Hyderabad, is constitutionally entitled to contest elections anywhere across the nation.

“RJD competes in Maharashtra. Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party also participate in several states, including Maharashtra. So why is Owaisi being singled out? Politics should be devoid of ego. Unfortunately, the Mahagathbandhan appears to lack space for unity or humility,” he remarked to IANS.

Krishna Hegde, another Shiv Sena leader, commented, “Congress labels AIMIM as the B-Team of the BJP simply because Owaisi once commended Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy and supported Operation Sindoor. He criticized Pakistan on global platforms, which displeased Congress.”

Hegde added, “The reality is that Congress is anxious. If AIMIM is excluded from the Mahagathbandhan, it will harm Congress electorally in critical Muslim-majority areas. Even JDU leaders have acknowledged that the NDA is set to regain power in Bihar.”

Meanwhile, Udit Raj, a leader from Congress, defended the party's position, asserting, “Owaisi’s speeches result in communal polarization. Each time the INDIA Bloc enters electoral seasons, AIMIM suddenly becomes active and delivers provocative speeches, which divides the Hindu-Muslim vote and benefits the BJP.”

These remarks have emerged following AIMIM’s formal appeal to join the Mahagathbandhan. In a correspondence to Lalu Prasad Yadav, the leader of RJD, AIMIM’s Bihar unit president and MLA Akhtarul Iman urged integration into the alliance, emphasizing the significance of preventing a fragmentation of secular votes.

As the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections draw near, several AIMIM leaders have publicly voiced their desire to become part of the Grand Alliance, asserting that discussions have already commenced with opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav and representatives from Congress.

However, on July 14, Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the INDIA Bloc, dismissing any potential collaboration with the bloc prior to the Bihar elections.