Purnia: As the second phase of Bihar Assembly elections approaches on November 11, the Amour constituency in Purnia district is witnessing a tense triangular contest among three familiar faces — Congress veteran Abdul Jalil Mastan, JD(U)’s Saba Zafar, and AIMIM’s Akhtarul Iman. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also fielded Afroz Alam, adding a fourth dimension to the battle.
Amour, a Muslim-majority seat where 70% of voters belong to the community, has an unusual political record — of the 18 assembly elections held since 1952, Muslim candidates have won 17 times. The only exception was in 1977, when Chandrashekhar Jha of the Janata Party secured victory.
Local Voices Reflect Voter Fatigue and Identity Politics
Residents of Amour appear divided yet weary of old promises. Azad Alam, a driver, says, “Ever since AIMIM has won, no work gets done without paying at least ₹500. When Saba Zafar was MLA, things worked with ₹50 — no bribes were needed.”
Many voters express mixed opinions about their former representatives. “We’ve been seeing Jalil Mastan since childhood; he rarely meets people,” says a local shopkeeper. Akhtari, a domestic worker, sums up the confusion: “The election isn’t clear yet, but two people are in the air.”
At Amour Chowk, general store owner Mohammed Sanjay offers a sharper assessment. “This time, it’s between the arrow (JD(U)) and the kite (AIMIM). Even if people hesitate to name Saba Zafar, Hindus will vote for him,” he says.
The Caste and Community Factor
The constituency’s demographics play a decisive role. Of the 3,30,440 voters, around 2,19,122 are Muslim, with 12,871 Scheduled Caste voters (4.1%) and others making up the rest.
AIMIM and Congress candidates — Akhtarul Iman and Abdul Jalil Mastan — belong to the Surjapuri community, while JD(U)’s Saba Zafar represents the Kulhaiya community.
Pankaj Bharatiya, a senior journalist from Seemanchal, explains, “In Amour, caste and sub-caste loyalties — especially among Surjapuris and Kulhaiyas — matter more than party symbols. If Kulhaiyas and Hindus consolidate, Saba Zafar gains; if Surjapuris unite, AIMIM or Congress benefits.”
The Kulhaiya population is estimated at 1.2 lakh. Traditionally, Surjapuris have voted in a bloc, which often determines the winner. This time, with AIMIM and Congress both fielding Surjapuri candidates, the vote is likely to split — potentially benefiting Saba Zafar.
AIMIM’s Akhtarul Iman Banks on Performance
Akhtarul Iman, the sitting MLA and AIMIM’s state president, is defending his seat amid growing scrutiny. Known for his fiery speeches, he began his campaign quoting poetry — “This quiet nature will not let you live; if you want to survive in this era, create a ruckus.”
He questions why Seemanchal remains backward despite large government allocations. “Marine Drive will be built in Patna, hospitals elsewhere, but bridges over our rivers are ignored. We have to raise our voice,” he says.
Responding to criticism of being an “outsider” from Kishanganj, he retorts, “If Congress calls me an outsider, they should remember Sonia Gandhi too came from abroad. Then that charge applies to her as well.”
Akhtarul Iman claims to have executed ₹800 crore worth of development works, including bridges on rivers like the Mahananda. “I have taken everyone along — Hindus, Muslims, Surjapuris, Kulhaiyas, Shershahs, Ansaris. Those who oppose me dislike that I ask questions,” he asserts.
Congress Veteran Faces Questions Over Health
Abdul Jalil Mastan, a six-time MLA, dismisses rumours about his ill health. Speaking at the Congress office, the 62-year-old leader says, “This is a social media campaign. I’m perfectly fine. They spread lies to weaken me.”
Mastan has been a key political figure in Amour for decades, but locals say age and limited mobility have slowed his campaign compared to his rivals.
Saba Zafar Seeks Return Backed by NDA and Hindu Support
Saba Zafar, contesting on a JD(U) ticket under the NDA banner, is positioning herself as the candidate of stability and communal harmony. Having won in 2010 and lost narrowly in 2015 and 2020, he is aiming for a comeback.
Munawwar Alam, a JD(U) leader, says, “Saba Zafar’s victory will restore the Ganga-Jamuni culture of this region. Many Surjapuri Muslims are also supporting him this time.”
District spokesperson Upendra Kumar Singh adds, “AIMIM is out of the race. 30% of Hindus see Saba Zafar as their brother. During his tenure, there were no riots and no corruption. People are voting beyond religious lines.”
Political Equations Tighten Before November 11
The Amour battle remains unpredictable, driven by overlapping loyalties of caste, community, and faith. With AIMIM, Congress, and JDU fielding candidates who have all previously represented the constituency, voter fatigue and ground-level perception may play a decisive role.
As one local voter summed it up, “In Amour, the real fight is not between hand and kite — it’s between arrow and kite. But no one can say who will soar higher.”
