Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi rules out tie up with INDIA bloc for Bihar polls

HYDERABAD: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday firmly ruled out any alliance with the INDIA bloc (Mahagathbandhan) for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, stating that "one-sided love will not work."The clarification comes after AIMIM's Bihar state president, Akhtarul Iman, had written to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, proposing entry into the Mahagathbandhan to avoid vote division that could benefit the BJP. However, the RJD responded by urging AIMIM not to contest the elections at all if it was truly committed to defeating the BJP-while also accusing the AIMIM of acting as a 'B-team' of the BJP.Speaking to a news agency, Owaisi dismissed these allegations and said the party is exploring alternatives, including the formation of a third front. "The accusations against us are lies-they fear a leader from the poor and oppressed rising to power," he said. Owaisi confirmed that AIMIM will contest the Bihar elections, either as part of a third front or independently. "Whatever happened is in front of the people. We are committed to contesting with full strength. We are being defamed because we represent Dalits, Adivasis, Backward Classes, and Muslims. They want Bihar's poor to remain political slaves," he charged.Owaisi also raised concerns about the Election Commission of India's ongoing voter verification drive in Seemanchal. He said the ECI was acting beyond its mandate by allegedly checking the citizenship status of voters-an issue that falls under the Union home ministry.