AIMIM seeks opposition backing for 5th Rajya Sabha seat

Patna: Amid the battle for the fifth Rajya Sabha seat in the opposition camp, the AIMIM, headed by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, on Tuesday urged the opposition to give its party a chance this time.

“Please give a chance to the AIMIM candidate this time. We don’t have representation in the Upper House,” state AIMIM president Akhtarul Iman told the media on Tuesday, claiming they share the same political ideology. He said the opposition could win one RS seat if it acted smartly.


The statement came amid reports that the RJD is planning to field Hena Shahab, wife of late RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, for the seat to secure AIMIM support. However, the AIMIM did not appear interested.

The NDA has 202 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly, leaving 41 for the opposition, while exactly 41 votes are required to win one Rajya Sabha seat this time in Bihar. That means it is possible only if the entire opposition shows unity, setting aside differences — something that appears unlikely.

The Grand Alliance has a total of 35 seats, including RJD (25), Congress (6), CPI-ML (2), CPIM (1) and IIP (1), while the AIMIM and BSP, which fought the last assembly elections separately, have five and one seat respectively. Analysts say the chances of all coming together appear remote.