Owaisi Sets October 2 Deadline for UP Alliance, Takes Aim at Akhilesh Yadav

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has offered to join hands with Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh to prevent the BJP from returning to power in the 2027 Assembly elections.

At the same time, he stepped up his criticism of the Samajwadi Party and its chief Akhilesh Yadav, citing the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots during the SP’s tenure.

Addressing an election rally in Kanpur, Owaisi said his party was willing to work with any Opposition group that wanted to stop the BJP from forming the government in Uttar Pradesh for a third consecutive term. However, he gave the parties a deadline of October 2 to respond before the AIMIM decides on its next political move.

“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 alliance proposal in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. According to Owaisi, AIMIM had offered to contest six seats as part of an alliance, but the proposal was not accepted. He alleged that the party was instead targeted with what he described as “false allegations.”

OWAISI TAKES AIM AT SAMajWADI PARTY

While reaching out to Opposition parties, Owaisi sharply criticised the Samajwadi Party, which is the principal Opposition force in Uttar Pradesh.

Referring to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, Owaisi questioned the SP’s record during Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure as chief minister.

“How many riots took place when your Akhilesh Bhaiya came to power?” he asked, before referring to the displacement caused by the Muzaffarnagar violence.

Owaisi also alleged that successive political parties, including the Samajwadi Party, had failed to adequately address the social, economic and educational concerns of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.

He argued that Muslims needed stronger political representation in the state Assembly and appealed to voters to strengthen the AIMIM’s presence.

OPPOSITION’S ‘B TEAM’ CHARGE

Owaisi’s proposal comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between AIMIM and several Opposition parties.

Leaders of the Samajwadi Party and Congress have accused Owaisi’s party of helping the BJP by dividing Opposition votes, particularly in constituencies with a sizeable Muslim electorate. Similar allegations were raised against AIMIM by the RJD in Bihar after the Assembly election.

Owaisi has consistently rejected the charge. He has instead accused Opposition parties of failing to offer minority voters adequate political representation and of fielding candidates who do not have sufficient support among Muslim voters.

The AIMIM chief has also questioned why parties accusing him of splitting votes have not been able to secure enough support from other sections of the electorate.

OCTOBER 2 DEADLINE

With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh election still ahead, Owaisi’s latest proposal puts the focus on whether any broader Opposition understanding can emerge.

For now, the AIMIM has indicated that it will wait until October 2 for a response before deciding whether to pursue an alliance or contest independently.