An increasingly assertive All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is all set to make its presence felt in the eastern parts of the country, far from its traditional stronghold of Deccan.
MIM president and member of lok Sabha Asaduddin Owaisi who has created a niche for himself as an outspoken voice of the minorities in the Parliament, on Saturday reached Kishangunj in Bihar bordering West Bengal to a tumultuous welcome by his supporters in both the States.
Though technically he was visiting the predominantly Muslim town on the invitation to Samaji Insaf Front to address a public meeting on Sunday, many see it as an attempt to test the waters of Bihar politics before taking a call on the crucial question of whether he should enter the fray for the coming Assembly elections.
Owaisi, who was in Bangalore on Friday to prepare his party for the upcoming city Municipal Corporation elections refused to commit himself when asked about MIM plans for Bihar polls. “We will take an appropriate decision at the right time,” he said. Sources said the purpose of Owaisi’s visit was to explore the situation there and understand the mood of the Muslim voters. Party sources said there were numerous demands from Muslims in Bihar for the entry of MIM in State politics, since the party made a spectacular debut in Maharashtra Assembly elections.