Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), is set to address a campaign rally in West Bengal, where the party is contesting Assembly elections for the first time in alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Am Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP).
The rally will be held at Dubtala Fields in Nowda, in Murshidabad district, at 12 noon.
Despite AIMIM’s limited organisational presence in the state, the rally is being seen as an effort to build visibility, energise local cadres, and position the party as an alternative political force.
Murshidabad, which has a sizeable Muslim population, is central to Owaisi’s strategy as he seeks to make electoral inroads by appealing to minority voters.
The rally also offers AIMIM an opportunity to test its electoral viability, with observers noting that the party’s entry into the fray could influence voting patterns in key constituencies.
In its electoral debut in the state, AIMIM will contest eight seats—three in Birbhum, three in Murshidabad, and two in Malda—all constituencies with significant Muslim populations.
The party has alleged a lack of development in Muslim-majority districts such as Malda and Murshidabad, claiming that high unemployment has forced many young people to migrate. It has also criticised the state government over inadequate infrastructure in higher education and healthcare.
With nearly 30 per cent of West Bengal’s electorate comprising Muslim voters—traditionally seen as a strong support base for the All India Trinamool Congress—the AIMIM-AJUP alliance could impact the political landscape if it succeeds in tapping into any underlying discontent, potentially posing a challenge to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party.
Extensive arrangements have been made for Wednesday’s rally, with a significant turnout expected. Security and traffic measures are in place to ensure smooth proceedings.