Seemanchal, in northeastern Bihar, has long been a region with its own political rhythm. Spread across Araria, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Purnea—and connected to the wider Kosi-Seemanchal belt—it covers seven districts and 24 assembly seats. With a large Muslim population and years of social and economic backwardness, it has become a place where every vote carries weight.

This year, the area once again turned into a stage for big campaigns. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi travelled widely across Seemanchal, while political strategist Prashant Kishor also made his presence felt. The contest was intense, but the result in this belt remained strikingly familiar.

Five seats again: AIMIM holds its ground

AIMIM repeated its performance from 2020 by winning five seats in the assembly polls on Friday. The Election Commission confirmed the victories, marking another important moment for a party that contested 29 seats, including 24 from Seemanchal alone.

Akhtarul Iman won Amour by 38,928 votes, securing 1,00,836 votes in total.

Md Sarawar Alam claimed Kochadhaman with a margin of 23,021 after polling 81,860 votes.

Ghulam Sarwar won in Baisi by 27,251 votes, with 92,766 votes polled.

Mohammad Murshid Alam took Jokihat with a margin of 28,803 votes, polling 83,737 votes.

In Bahadurganj, Md Tauseef Alam secured victory by 28,726 votes, receiving 87,315 votes.

AIMIM contested the polls without joining any ruling or opposition alliance.

Early trends showed a different picture

The day did not begin with the same confidence. By 11 am, AIMIM was leading only in Balrampur (Katihar), a seat it did not win in 2020, and in Baisi (Purnea). It trailed in Amour, Bahadurganj, Jokihat, and Kochadhaman—all seats it had held earlier.

But as the counting settled, the party found itself back to where it stood five years ago—firmly holding five seats in its strongest region.

Owaisi says voters proved a point

After the results, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi thanked the people of Bihar for the victories and urged non-NDA parties to reflect on their performance.

He said, "I am grateful to the people of Bihar. Especially, I have been saying from the beginning that RJD would not be able to stop BJP." He added that he had already warned that the NDA was gaining ground. "My apprehension has now proven right," he said.

Speaking about minority voters, he urged them to consider their political strength. He said they should become "vote takers" rather than "vote givers", arguing this helps build leadership and stops "communal and fascist forces".

Owaisi also stated that parties like the RJD needed to look inward. "Those who feel relieved by abusing him are welcome to do so," he added.

‘The era of feeling like a Raja is over’

Responding to comments made by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Owaisi said leaders must understand that voters will not support them simply because they are well-known.

"If you feel that we are big and people would vote for us, it is not going to happen. First of all you have to be humble. If you think that you are a 'Raja' and voters are your people, that era has come to an end," he said.

He also criticised the belief that Muslim voters are automatically aligned with certain parties. "But, you feel that Muslim is your captive. How long you will speak like this? My appeal to Muslim society is that don't become a voter but a citizen who will have rights," he said.