AIMIM to contest all 294 seats in Bengal Assembly polls 2026

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced plans to contest all 294 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, aiming to expand its presence in the state. The party, which made its Bengal debut in 2021 but failed to make an impact, has been working at the grassroots level for the past four years. AIMIM leader Imran Solanki stated that the party had secured significant votes in the 2023 Panchayat elections and has launched a membership drive to strengthen its support base.

AIMIM claims the Muslim population in Bengal has exceeded 40% and has accused ruling parties of failing to address the community’s concerns. “We won nearly 1.5 lakh votes in the 2023 panchayat polls from Malda and Murshidabad alone. This time, we will contest every seat with full force,” Solanki said. The party has been conducting door-to-door campaigns, organizing iftar gatherings, and reaching out to Dalits and tribals as part of its expansion strategy. A phone number has been launched for supporters to join the party through a missed call.

Solanki alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has benefited from Waqf properties while not addressing community concerns. “The entire stretch from the High Court to Fort William is Waqf property, which the ruling party takes advantage of,” he said. He also highlighted the lack of a university in Murshidabad, a district with a sizable Muslim population. AIMIM has positioned itself as an alternative to the existing political parties, claiming that both the TMC and BJP have failed to work for the interests of Muslims, Dalits, and tribals.

The party also raised concerns over the increasing presence of RSS-affiliated offices in Bengal and accused the state government of selectively targeting AIMIM supporters. “BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari is Mamata Banerjee’s product. Just see how no case is registered against him despite his use of foul language, even as our people are framed in one case after another,” Solanki said. AIMIM’s leadership has argued that the party is fighting to provide representation to marginalized communities that they claim have been ignored by both ruling and opposition parties in the state.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi is expected to visit Bengal after Eid to hold rallies and mobilize support ahead of the elections. The party has been actively engaging with voters in Malda, Murshidabad, and other districts where it sees a strong support base. With its state-wide membership campaign underway, AIMIM is looking to make a significant electoral push in Bengal for the first time since its initial attempt in 2021.