The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, is gearing up for a major electoral push in West Bengal, announcing plans to contest all seats in the 2026 assembly elections. The party, which has been working at the grassroots level for the past four years, is now focusing on expanding its base through an extensive membership drive across the state.
According to AIMIM leader Md Imran Solanki, the party has already built a significant presence in West Bengal, boasting around three lakh members. In the 2023 Panchayat elections, AIMIM secured approximately 1.5 lakh votes, primarily from Malda and Murshidabad, two districts with a substantial minority population. This has encouraged the party to step up its political activities and prepare for a stronger showing in the upcoming state elections.
AIMIM first entered West Bengal’s electoral landscape in the 2021 assembly elections but failed to make a significant impact. The party fielded candidates in only seven seats, mostly in Malda, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur, which have large Muslim voter bases. However, this time around, the party is confident of making a difference by contesting all 294 seats in the state assembly.
“We have been silently working at the ground level for four years. Now, we are preparing to field candidates in all constituencies. We have begun our campaign at the block level and are conducting door-to-door outreach to strengthen our support base,” said Solanki.
As part of its outreach strategy, AIMIM is organizing community events such as iftar parties and engaging with voters through direct interactions. The party has also launched a phone number for its membership drive, aiming to increase its influence across the state.
Following Eid, Asaduddin Owaisi is expected to visit West Bengal to hold rallies and connect with voters ahead of the elections. The party believes that the political landscape in the state is evolving, and it sees an opportunity to position itself as a viable alternative for voters who may feel sidelined by existing political parties.
With a Muslim population of 27% in West Bengal, according to the 2011 Census, AIMIM is looking to tap into this significant vote bank. “Mamata Banerjee is emphasizing her Hindu identity, and the BJP is playing its own game. Meanwhile, the public is the one that suffers. Voters need an alternative, and we believe we can provide that. Our support base is strong, particularly in North Bengal and Malda,” Solanki added.
As AIMIM ramps up its preparations, the party’s expansion efforts are expected to reshape political equations in West Bengal. Whether it can translate its groundwork into electoral success remains to be seen, but its decision to contest all seats marks a significant shift in its strategy for the state.
