Prashant Kishor's 'unsolicited' advice for Owaisi ahead of Bihar polls: 'He is a friend but ...'

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor

As the Bihar Assembly elections draw closer, the political fight in the state is intensifying with sharp exchanges between leaders. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Monday advised All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi to focus on his Hyderabad constituency instead of venturing into Bihar's Seemanchal region.

He said that "son of Seemanchal should be leaders of Seemanchal" and added that Muslims here will not commit the mistake of 2020.

While talking to the media,  Kishor said, "Owaisi Sahab is my friend. But my unsolicited advice to him is to handle Hyderabad. Protect your stronghold in Hyderabad; don't cause unnecessary confusion by coming to Seemanchal. Had you handled Hyderabad and done the welfare of Muslims there, it would have been good."

#WATCH | Kishanganj, Bihar: Jan Suraaj Founder Prashant Kishor says, "Owaisi Sahab is my friend. But my unsolicited advice to him is that he should handle Hyderabad. Protect your stronghold in Hyderabad; don't cause unnecessary confusion by coming to Seemanchal. Had you handled… pic.twitter.com/ylV877U8hf

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2025

He further made a very strong remark that the son of the Seemanchal region should be the leader. "This time, Muslims of Seemanchal will not make the mistake that was committed in 2020. Owaisi Sahab is well respected, and he is well-educated, but let him stay in Hyderabad. There is no need to install a leader from Hyderabad here."

Earlier, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) released its list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

The AIMIM Bihar unit approved 25 candidates, including Mohammed Kaif for Siwan, Anas Salam for Gopalganj AC, Advocate Shams Aagaz for Kishanganj, Rashid Khalil Ansari for Madhubani, Mohammad Manzoor Alam for Araria, among others, for the Bihar Assembly elections.

The party previously won five seats in the 2020 election, but lost four of its five Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

The 24 Assembly seats in four districts of Seemachal have swung between parties in the past five elections.

Seemanchal consists of 24 Assembly seats: seven in Purnia district, six in Araria, four in Kishanganj, and seven in Katihar. In the last five Assembly polls, the BJP has led three times — in 2020 with eight seats, in 2010 with 13 seats, and in October 2005 with nine seats.

According to the 2011 Census, Kishanganj has 68% Muslim population, Araria 43%, Katihar 45%, and Purnia 39%. Read more at: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/bihar-muslim-voters-semanchal-election-issues-kvwqpy64