AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, questioning the party’s representation of Muslim leaders and accusing it of failing to protect minority interests.
Addressing a rally in Kairana on Sunday, Owaisi suggested that the Samajwadi Party’s name should be changed to “Samajwadi Yadav Parivar”. His remarks targeted what he described as the growing influence of Akhilesh Yadav’s family in constituencies that were previously represented by Muslim leaders.
“There was a time when a Muslim used to win from Azamgarh. Now Akhilesh’s brother has become MP from there,” Owaisi said, referring to the changing political representation in the constituency. He also cited Firozabad, alleging that family members of the Samajwadi Party leadership had replaced Muslim representatives there.
Owaisi raises Muzaffarnagar riots issue
Owaisi also criticised Akhilesh Yadav over the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, which took place when the Samajwadi Party was in power in Uttar Pradesh and Akhilesh was the chief minister.
The AIMIM leader claimed that around 50,000 people were displaced during the violence. He alleged that families who had lived in their villages for generations were forced to leave their homes, while children were orphaned and women faced attacks.
Questioning the Samajwadi Party’s record, Owaisi repeatedly reminded his audience that the party was governing the state at the time of the riots.
His remarks brought the issue of the violence and its aftermath back into the political debate ahead of the next Assembly elections.
Opposition accused of remaining silent
Owaisi also targeted opposition parties for allegedly failing to raise issues affecting minorities and economically weaker sections of society.
He accused the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh of presiding over mosque demolitions and alleged that questionable police encounters were continuing in the state. He further criticised opposition parties for not speaking out strongly enough against these developments.
These allegations formed part of his broader attack on political parties that claim to represent minority communities.
Alliance prospects remain uncertain
Earlier this month, Owaisi had expressed willingness to form an alliance with the Samajwadi Party to prevent the BJP from returning to power in Uttar Pradesh for a third consecutive term.
However, no concrete progress on the proposed alliance has been reported. Owaisi’s increasingly critical remarks against Akhilesh Yadav suggest that relations between the two parties remain uncertain.
With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the exchange highlights the emerging contest over minority support, political representation and opposition unity in Uttar Pradesh.
Whether the AIMIM and Samajwadi Party eventually join hands or compete separately could influence electoral calculations in several constituencies.
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