AIMIM will make no difference to our prospects in Bihar: BJP

NEW DELHI: BJP today claimed that the entry of Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM into Bihar will make no difference to its poll prospects as his attempt to create a "fear factor" among the minority community will not work in the state.

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain claimed a number of former ministers and MPs from the minority community have joined BJP and that the NDA alliance will emerge victorious in the Bihar Assembly elections to be held in five phases in October-November.

"Owaisi's AIMIM contesting Bihar polls will make no difference to BJP's prospects. Owaisi's attempt to create a fear factor (among the minority community) will not work against BJP in these elections," he told PTI.

"It is a fight between Owaisi and the alliance of Lalu Prasad (RJD), Nitish Kumar (JDU) and Congress. They will have to decide amongst themselves as to who will take the number 2 position," he said.

Hussain said Lalu and Nitish earlier tried to mislead the minority community and Owaisi was trying to do the same now.

"There is no place for communal speech of Owaisi in Bihar. This is not Hyderabad, but Bihar," he said.

Asked if caste equations and the entry of Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM will make any difference in Bihar polls, Union Minister J P Nadda said "development is our issue in Bihar polls and the youth of Bihar wants development and will not decide on such issues."

Hussain said the minority community has realised that the nation has to move forward on the path of development which only BJP led by Narendra Modi can provide.

The former Union Minister, who lost the last Lok Sabha election from Bhagalpur, said BJP is strong in the Seemanchal area which is dominated by the minority community.

He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent rallies in the region have evoked big crowds and the party will emerge victorious in the area which has Kishanganj, Arraria and Purnea. Hussain represented Kishanganj seat from 1999 to 2004.

The BJP leader claimed that a number of former MPs and ministers from the minority community have joined BJP and cited names of former ministers Munazir Hassan, Ikhlaq Ahmed, Shahid Ali Khan and Jamshed Ashraf, and former MP Shabir Ali.

He claimed that JD(U) MLC and former minister Manzar Alam was also in talks with BJP.