Owaisi Slams BJP and SP, Calls for Muslim Political Leadership in UP
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi challenges BJP and SP, calling for Muslims in UP to move beyond being a vote bank and seek independent leadership.
In a bold move ahead of the upcoming electoral battles, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has issued a stirring call for Muslim political leadership in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking from Hyderabad, Telangana, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the AIMIM leader challenged the existing political order, urging the Muslim community to stop acting as a passive "vote bank" and instead strive to become independent lawmakers and leaders.
Breaking the 'Vote Bank' Cycle
Owaisi’s critique was aimed squarely at the traditional role Muslims have played in the state's politics. He argued that the community must transition from being mere supporters of other parties to becoming the architects of their own political destiny. In a sharp metaphor, he urged the community to stop "spreading carpets" for other political entities—a reference to the subordinate role often played by the community in alliance politics.
Global Inspiration: The Michigan Milestone
To illustrate that independent political success is possible, Owaisi pointed toward a historic achievement in the United States. He cited the 2026 midterm election victory of Abdul El-Sayed, who made history as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate from Michigan.
Invoking this global example, Owaisi called for the "Abduls of UP" to rise and shatter the stereotypes that have long dominated Indian political discourse. He suggested that if such milestones can be achieved internationally, there is no reason why Muslims in Uttar Pradesh cannot secure their own seats of power.
Targeting the SP and BJP
The AIMIM chief did not mince words when addressing the two major political forces in the state:
- The Samajwadi Party (SP): Owaisi accused the SP of failing to provide genuine representation to the Muslim community, despite the party consistently benefiting from their electoral support.
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): He condemned the BJP for its use of derogatory language and rhetoric targeted at the Muslim electorate.
The Quest for 'Hissedari'
As the AIMIM gears up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, this rhetoric forms the core of Owaisi's campaign strategy. He is championing the concept of "hissedari"—or political partnership. According to Owaisi, the goal is not just participation, but a tangible share in authority, ensuring that Muslims hold positions of power rather than remaining silent observers in the state's power structures.