In a major jolt to Hyderabad M.P. Asaduddin Owasi’s AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) four of its five MLAs switched over to RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal). They were reportedly in touch with RJD for some time.
In the last Bihar assembly election, the AIMIM stunned the political pundits by winning five seats in Muslim dominated Seemanchal region. The AIMIM state president Akhtarul Iman is the only MLA now left with the party.
With the induction of four MLA’s, RJD once again became the largest party in the state. In the last assembly election RJD won 75 seats while BJP 74. However, BJP’s number went up to 77 when three MLAs of Mukesh Sahni’s VIP crossed over to the Saffron party. On the other hand, in the recently held by poll RJD won one seat raising its tally to 76 and now with the switch over of four AIMIM MLAs, the tally became 80.
Curiously, the timing of the switch over has raised speculation as the relation between the two major ruling allies JDU and BJP is arguably at an all time low. In such a situation, the question is whether this may trigger a turning point in Bihar politics or not.
