The second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections is expected to see a tight contest in the Seemanchal region, where Dalit and Muslim voters hold significant sway. In the context, all eyes are on Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who hopes to repeat his party’s 2020 performance of five seats.

Owaisi’s focus is on the Muslim-dominated districts of Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar, and Purnea, where it won five seats in the 2020 Assembly elections.

The Seemanchal region, located on northeastern Bihar, has a Muslim population of approximately 47 per cent. Muslims form close to 68% of Kishanganj, around 44–45% in Katihar and Araria, and nearly 39% in Purnea. While a huge chunk of the voters were predominantly backers of RJD for long, they

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