Owaisi Slams Tejashwi Yadav For "Extremist" Comment: Political Tension Rises Ahead Of Bihar Elections

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (File).

Asaduddin Owaisi launched a scathing attack on Tejashwi Yadav after the RJD leader reportedly labeled him an 'extremist.' During a campaign rally in Bihar's Kishanganj, Owaisi accused Yadav of borrowing terminology from Pakistan and sarcastically challenged him: "Babu, can you write 'extremist' in English?"

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president expressed outrage at Kishanganj, saying, "An interviewer asked Tejashwi Yadav why he didn't form an alliance with Owaisi. Tejashwi responded by calling me 'an extremist, a fanatic, a terrorist.' He labels me an 'extremist' simply because I proudly practice my religion."

Owaisi continued his impassioned response: "Anyone who refuses to bow before you, who doesn't beg, who isn't intimidated by your father [Lalu Prasad Yadav]... you call them a coward? Does wearing a beard on my face and a cap on my head make me an extremist? Your hatred runs deep."

The AIMIM later shared on X what they claimed was an audio clip from Yadav's interview alongside Owaisi's fierce rebuttal, which included the declaration that "Tejashwi is speaking the language of Pakistan."

In their social media post, the AIMIM stated: "Tejashwi Yadav called him [Owaisi] an extremist because of the cap on his head and beard on his face; this constitutes an insult to all people of Seemanchal."

This heated exchange follows unsuccessful seat-sharing negotiations between Owaisi's AIMIM and the Mahagathbandhan opposition alliance led by Yadav and his Rashtriya Janata Dal. The AIMIM reportedly requested six seats, but received no positive response.

After being rebuffed, the AIMIM announced plans to independently contest 100 of Bihar's 243 assembly seats. Owaisi positioned his party as a 'third front' in a state where voters have traditionally chosen between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and its sometimes-ally BJP, or the Congress-RJD partnership.

"It's widely known that I wrote to Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav expressing willingness for a coalition, but received no response," Owaisi explained. "Now we must focus on expanding our presence. We're also discussing with like-minded parties about forming a third front. Everything will become clear soon."

Akhtarul Iman, AIMIM's Bihar unit chief, confidently stated, "Both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan will be forced to acknowledge our presence."

In the 2020 election, AIMIM contested 20 seats and secured five victories, all in the Seemanchal region with its significant Muslim population. However, four of those elected MLAs subsequently defected to the RJD, while the fifth passed away.

Political analysts believe AIMIM sees opportunity in regions like Seemanchal, where large Muslim communities lack proportionate governmental representation. Earlier this month, before the Election Commission announced poll dates, Owaisi highlighted that while every community in Bihar had leadership representation, the Muslim population did not: "Yadav, Paswan, Thakur - each community has its leader, but the 19 percent Muslims in Bihar have none."

According to Bihar's 2022 caste survey, Muslims constitute 17.7 percent of Bihar's approximately 13 crore population. They form a crucial element of RJD's support base; the party has long relied on the 'MY' formula (Muslim + Yadav) in elections, which may explain Yadav's reluctance to accommodate Owaisi.

Such an alliance might dilute RJD's vote bank, potentially reducing their seat count and weakening Yadav's position as the bloc's chief ministerial candidate. Sources suggest RJD also feared the BJP might exploit a 'Hindu vs Muslim' narrative.

Meanwhile, Owaisi has questioned why the opposition hasn't named a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister. The Mahagathbandhan has appointed Vikassheel Insaan Party leader Mukesh Sahani as one deputy, indicating more would follow.

Owaisi's pointed remarks suggest he's creating a distinctive position among Muslim voters that could impact both Tejashwi Yadav and Nitish Kumar electorally.

Yadav remains steadfast, aware that AIMIM's 2020 "victory" proved illusory when four of five elected MLAs eventually joined his party. He also recognizes the party failed to gain traction beyond Muslim-dominated areas. His calculation appears to be that while AIMIM wields influence in certain regions, it doesn't represent an existential threat to the Mahagathbandhan.

The Bihar Assembly election 2025 commences this week, with the first phase of voting on Thursday, followed by the second and final phase on November 11. Results will be announced on November 14.