UP Polls: Owaisi Gives Opposition October 2 Deadline, Trains Guns on Samajwadi Party

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has opened the door to an alliance with Opposition parties for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying his party is ready to join forces with groups seeking to keep the BJP out of power.

However, Owaisi’s outreach came with a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party and its chief Akhilesh Yadav. Speaking at an election rally in Kanpur, he set October 2 as the deadline for Opposition parties to respond before AIMIM decides on a possible alliance.

“We also do not want BJP to form the government in Uttar Pradesh for the third time. If you want to stop the BJP from forming the government again, then come and join hands with AIMIM,” Owaisi said at the Babupurwa Idgah ground in Kanpur Cantonment.

The AIMIM chief said his party had made a similar proposal ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, offering to contest six seats as part of an alliance. According to Owaisi, the proposal was rejected and his party was subsequently targeted with what he called “false allegations”.

OWAISI ATTACKS AKHILESH YADAV

Owaisi’s alliance pitch was accompanied by criticism of the Samajwadi Party, which has been a major Opposition force in Uttar Pradesh.

Taking aim at Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure as chief minister, Owaisi referred to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

“How many riots took place when your Akhilesh Bhaiya came to power?” he asked, referring to the violence that displaced thousands of people.

Owaisi alleged that political parties, including the SP, had failed to adequately address the social, economic and educational concerns of Muslims in the state. He also argued that the community had not received sufficient political representation.

He urged voters to strengthen AIMIM’s presence in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, saying Muslims needed a political “voice”.

AIMIM’S STAND-OFF WITH OPPOSITION PARTIES

Owaisi’s proposal comes amid longstanding differences between AIMIM and several Opposition parties.

The SP and Congress have accused AIMIM of dividing the Muslim vote and indirectly benefiting the BJP. Similar allegations were levelled against Owaisi’s party in Bihar by the RJD following the Assembly election.

Owaisi has rejected these accusations and countered that Opposition parties themselves have failed to adequately represent minority interests. He has also questioned why parties accusing AIMIM of splitting votes have not been able to attract sufficient support from other sections of the electorate.

OCTOBER 2 DEADLINE

With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh election still ahead, Owaisi has given Opposition parties until October 2 to respond to his alliance proposal.

The AIMIM’s next move will depend on whether any Opposition party engages with the proposal or whether the party chooses to chart an independent course for the Uttar Pradesh polls.