Owaisi's AIMIM To Contest All Seats In 2026 Assembly Polls As West Bengal's 'Muslim Population Surpasses 40 Per Cent'

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has declared its intent to contest all seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that the state's Muslim population has surpassed 40 per cent, reported The Indian Express. 

The announcement was made during a press conference in Kolkata on Tuesday (11 March), where party spokesperson Imran Solanki outlined AIMIM’s electoral strategy and expansion plans.

Solanki highlighted the party’s growing influence in West Bengal, citing its performance in the last Panchayat elections, where AIMIM secured 60,000 votes in Malda, 25,000 votes in Murshidabad, and 15,000-18,000 votes in other areas.

“We are here to make a big announcement. We fought in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi. In Bengal, we will fight from all seats,” he said, adding that the decision was taken on the instructions of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

Taking aim at both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Solanki accused them of exploiting Muslim votes without addressing their concerns.

He alleged that the TMC benefits from Waqf properties while failing to disclose financial accounts related to them. Further, he criticised the lack of a university in Murshidabad, a district with a large Muslim population.

He even accused the TMC of allowing the rise of RSS offices in Bengal, questioning the inaction against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari despite his controversial statements.

“They (TMC and BJP) are two sides of the same coin as they come to power using Muslim votes. But do nothing for us,” Solanki remarked.

AIMIM also announced a membership drive to strengthen its base in Bengal, modeled on the BJP’s outreach strategy. Supporters are being encouraged to join the party by giving a missed call on a dedicated number.