Kolkata: Inspired by its election success in the recently concluded Bihar assembly elections, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), founded by Asaduddin Owaisi, is all set to start its election campaign in West Bengal from next month only. The first rally of AIMIM will be at the minority- dominated Murshidabad district which will be addressed by Owasi himself.
When contacted AIMIM’s national spokesperson and the party’s observer for West Bengal, Asim Waqar told ETV Bharat, the date for the meeting is yet to be finalized. “But we will finalise it shortly and after that we will also spell out our programmes in West Bengal in due course,” he said.
However, an AIMIM office bearer in West Bengal confirmed that besides Murshidabad district, AIMIM also has plans to conduct similar rallies in another minority- dominated district Maldah and also in North Dinajpur. He also said that Owaisi is keen on attending all these rallies.
Political circles are keenly waiting to witness the turnout in the meeting.
However, on the face neither CPI(M) nor Congress, which are having an understanding in the West Bengal elections scheduled next year, is ready to give much importance to AIMIM programmes in the state.
According to Left Front chairman in West Bengal and the CPI(M) politburo member, Biman Bose, anyone has the right to campaign in his or her own democratic way. “There is no reason to think that Left- Congress alliance will be in an uncomfortable stage since AIMIM is starting its campaign from Murshidabad. It is not right way to think that what has happened in Bihar will get replicated in West Bengal,” Bose said.
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According to Congress legislator and the leader of the opposition in West Bengal assembly Abdul Mannan, in all probability AIMIM will not be in a position to impact poll results in West Bengal. “Only a joint force of Congress and Left Front is in a position to counter both BJP and Trinamool Congress at the same time,” he said.
According to Trinamool Congress leader and state IT minister, Bratya Basu, AIMIM is actually operating as a clandestine agent of a communal force. However, already a number of AIMIM supporters have joined Trinamool Congress today only being inspired by the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee. The chief minister is the only national face of peace, harmony and development. She is dedicated for the people,” Basu said.
But the factor that has kept the leadership of Congress, Trinamool and Left Front is that in case of Bihar, BJP was benefitted in several assembly constituencies because of the dent in minority votes by AIMIM. Owaisi has already said that after Bihar they will also contest in Bengal and if the same division in minority votes takes place here as well then reality Left Front, Congress and Trinamool has genuine reasons to be worried of.
Meanwhile, AIMIM has already given an open invitation to Trinamool for an alliance for the assembly elections scheduled next year. Asim Waqar said that the alliance call is just to counter BJP. “From the 2019 Lok Sabha elections it is clear, Trinamool Congress alone will not be able to counter BJP in West Bengal. It is better that Mamata Banerjee understands this reality. Else we will contest alone in West Bengal. We have plans to field candidates in every district,” he said.
