Owaisi accuses both Alliances over bumper voting and Seemanchal neglect

A heated new chapter has opened in Bihar’s elections as AIMIM national president Asaduddin Owaisi levelled broadside accusations against both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan following an unusually high turnout and reports of “bumper voting” in the first phase. Owaisi, who previously made electoral inroads in the Seemanchal belt warned that the surge in polling percentages has produced competing narratives: ruling coalition leaders claim it validates their mandate, while opponents insist it signals a public demand for change. Owaisi accused both sides of stoking communal and identity-based narratives from “jungle raj” rhetoric to allegations about burqas and land-owning castes , which he says distract from longstanding development deficits in Seemanchal. He highlighted chronic underinvestment in the region: scarce higher-education institutions, poor health indicators, limited sports and infrastructure facilities, and recurring flood damage. Owaisi challenged authorities to explain why central and state investments have left Seemanchal behind, citing high infant mortality, nutritional shortfalls and low school completion rates among local Muslim communities. On electoral procedure, he raised doubts about the Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) and asked for transparent scrutiny of deleted names, double entries and claims of bogus voters. Owaisi urged the Election Commission and courts to investigate and allow genuine electors to verify their status at polling. The exchange underscores how development failures, identity politics and procedural controversies are converging into a polarising pre-election debate , one likely to shape campaigning and voter perceptions ahead of the next phase. Observers say the coming days will test institutions, parties and public confidence as facts, accusations and social-media narratives clash.