2026 Bengal Polls: AIMIM To Contest In All Seats

Kolkata, West Bengal: Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) said that it would expand its base in West Bengal ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections in the State. The AIMIM on Tuesday said that it would contest the polls from all the seats “with full force” stating that Muslim population in the state currently was more than 40 per cent.

At a press conference in Kolkata, AIMIM spokesperson Imran Solanki said that the party has fought in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi. In West Bengal, they will fight from all seats. “In the last panchayat polls, the AIMIM received 60,000 votes in Malda, 25,000 in Murshidabad, and from 15,000 to 18,000 in other areas,” Indian Express quotes as Solanki is saying.

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The party underlined its political agenda stating that they will focus on the issues concerning Muslims, Dalits, and tribals in the State. In the press conference, AIMIM also discussed its expansion strategy and further plans for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Solanki also talked about the allegations regarding exploitation of Muslim votes in West Bengal. He held that the entire stretch from the High Court to Fort William is Waqf property, and the ruling TMC government is taking benefits from. “The Trinamool takes advantage of Waqf properties. If the government wants Muslim votes, they should share the accounts of the Waqf Board with us,” Indian Express quotes, as Solanki is saying.

Attacking both the TMC and the BJP for the state of affairs in West Bengal, Solanki said that both parties came to power using Muslim votes, but they have done anything.

“Look at the increasing number of RSS offices opening right under the nose of the TMC government. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari is Mamata Banerjee’s product only. Just see how no case is registered against him despite his use of foul language, even as our people are framed in one case after another,” he added.

Continuing further, Solanki held that the new census would reveal that the Muslim population in Bengal has now surpassed more than 40 per cent. He claimed that TMC come to power using Muslim votes, but they are not doing anything for us. “We believe that it is because of the 90% Muslim vote that the TMC is able to form the government here,” he said.

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AIMIM spokesperson said that TMC is trying to fool the people of Bengal, arguing that they start supporting minorities during the elections, but forget about them once it is over.

To expand its party base, the AIMIM has started a membership drive similar on the lines of the BJP.