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Congress Leans into Muslim Support in Bihar, Sparking Controversy
Patna, Bihar – A recent statement by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, declaring that “Congress is Muslim, and Muslim is Congress,” has ignited a political firestorm in Bihar, where the Congress party is struggling to maintain its relevance. The statement, delivered while addressing Muslims in Telangana, is widely seen as a strategic attempt to consolidate the party’s support base in the Seemanchal region of Bihar, where Muslim voters constitute a significant portion of the electorate.
Seemanchal: A Lifeline for Congress
The Seemanchal region, comprising the districts of Araria, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Purnia, is one of the areas where Congress still holds the traditional voter base. With Muslim populations ranging from 35% to 70%, these voters have historically aligned with the party. While the rise of Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD eroded this support, there’s been a recent resurgence of sympathy among Muslim voters for the Congress.
Addressing the AIMIM Challenge
The primary challenge for Congress in Seemanchal is not the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) or JD(U) but Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). In the 2020 Assembly elections, AIMIM secured five seats in the region, making a dent into the Congress traditional vote bank.
The CM’s bold statement, has been interpreted as a direct challenge to AIMIM, who have tried to present themselves as the voice of the muslims.
Echoes of Past Warnings
This strategy stands in stark contrast to previous internal assessments. After the Congress party’s defeat in 2014, a review committee led by former Defence Minister A.K. Antony warned that the party’s perceived pro-Muslim image was hurting its prospects. The report advised Congress to shed this image. However, the party seems to have disregarded this advice.
Implications for Bihar Elections
While Reddy’s statement was made in Telangana, its impact is expected to resonate in Bihar, where elections are on the horizon. With Muslim voters playing a decisive role in approximately 50 to 70 seats, the Congress is hoping that this message will reinforce its position as a reliable guarantor of Muslim identity and security. The statement is designed to create a central counter-narrative for the party with the message that the muslim voters should stick with the party since they stood by them always.
A Gamble for Survival?
In the upcoming elections, Congress is contesting 12 seats in Seemanchal. In the 2020 elections, NDA won 12 seats, Mahagathbandhan 7 seats, and AIMIM 5 seats.
For Congress, securing its position in Seemanchal is not just an electoral battle but a matter of political survival.
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