'Who is the Real Ravana?': Owaisi Slams Akhilesh Yadav in Kairana
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hits back at Akhilesh Yadav, accusing the SP of using Muslims as a vote bank and monopolizing leadership.
The political temperature in Uttar Pradesh has soared as AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched a blistering attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav. Speaking at a public rally in Kairana, Shamli district, on October 25, 2026, Owaisi responded with characteristic fire to a controversial comparison that has sparked a war of words between the two leaders.
The 'Ravana' Controversy
The friction began on October 22, 2026, when Akhilesh Yadav visited Azam Khan in Rampur. During that visit, the SP chief made a pointed reference to the mythological figure Ravana, suggesting that just as Ravana changed his appearance to abduct Sita, some individuals have been masking their true intentions for years—a remark widely seen as a veiled attack on Owaisi.
Responding to this in Kairana, Owaisi questioned the courage of the SP leader. He challenged Akhilesh Yadav, asking if he had the bravery to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'Ravana.' Owaisi further alleged that in the eyes of Akhilesh Yadav, any Muslim who wears a beard and a skullcap is viewed as a 'Ravana.'
Accusations of Political Monopoly
Owaisi did not stop at the personal jab; he turned his focus toward the Samajwadi Party's internal dynamics and its relationship with the Muslim community. He accused the Yadav family of monopolizing political representation, claiming that they have pushed out Muslim leaders to secure power for themselves.
To support his claim, Owaisi pointed toward specific constituencies including Azamgarh, Badaun, and Firozabad. He noted that these areas, which historically sent Muslim parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha, are now represented by members of Akhilesh Yadav's own family.
"Unless Abdul becomes a leader, issues will not be resolved," Owaisi declared, emphasizing the need for genuine leadership within the community rather than reliance on external patrons.
Vote Bank Politics and Riot Victims
The AIMIM chief leveled serious allegations against the SP regarding its track record in Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that the party has treated the Muslim community as nothing more than a "vote bank," failing to provide substantive support to those who suffered during the Muzaffarnagar and Kairana riots.
In a sarcastic swipe at the party's structure, Owaisi suggested that the Samajwadi Party should be renamed the 'Samajwadi Yadav Family' party to accurately reflect who it truly serves.
The Road to 2027: A Strategic Truce?
Despite the heavy rhetoric and personal clashes, Owaisi signaled a strategic openness toward the broader opposition. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with other parties to ensure the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not return to power in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Owaisi explicitly stated that his primary goal is to prevent Yogi Adityanath from securing a third term as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that the fight against the BJP might temporarily outweigh the rivalry with the SP.
This public spat follows earlier claims by AIMIM spokesperson Shadab Chauhan, who suggested that Akhilesh Yadav's recent meeting with Azam Khan was not born of friendship, but of fear—specifically, the fear that Owaisi might expose the SP leader's political maneuvers.