In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Indian National Congress on Wednesday, leaving the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party.
Waqar formally joined Congress at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders, including AICC in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress president Ajay Rai and AICC Minority Department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi.
The move comes at a politically significant time in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is expected to face a strong challenge from opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress.
Why did Asim Waqar quit AIMIM?
Explaining his decision, Waqar accused AIMIM of focusing its political attacks on opposition parties instead of directly taking on the BJP.
He said he had come to believe that defeating the BJP required opposition parties to work towards a common objective rather than fight among themselves.
“People who love the country want to uproot and throw out the BJP’s anti-national government from power, so that a secular and people-oriented government can be established in the country,” Waqar said.
He added, “After staying in AIMIM, I realised that we talk about fighting BJP and its ideology, but on the ground, we end up fighting those who are against BJP.”
Waqar said his decision to join Congress was based on the belief that the party was directly challenging the BJP at the national level.
“If we are true nationalists and want to remove the BJP honestly then our objective should be to fight the BJP. If we are fighting the enemies of the BJP then we are friends of the BJP,” he said.
Praise for Rahul Gandhi
After joining Congress, Waqar also praised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying he was raising issues concerning different sections of society.
“Rahul Gandhi ji is firmly raising the voice of every section and continuously cautioning the government on every front,” Waqar said.
He further claimed that leaders from different political backgrounds were being encouraged by Rahul Gandhi’s approach and were joining Congress.
Rajendra Pal Gautam also welcomed Waqar into the party, saying Congress was running a nationwide movement focused on issues such as education, employment, students, women and marginalised communities.
Setback for AIMIM ahead of UP elections?
Waqar had emerged as one of AIMIM’s prominent voices in Uttar Pradesh and was considered close to party chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
His departure is therefore being viewed as a setback for AIMIM as political activity intensifies ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The BJP is likely to face a combined opposition challenge in the state, with Congress and the Samajwadi Party already seeking to strengthen their position.
Waqar’s move to Congress could add another political dimension to the opposition’s efforts to consolidate support ahead of the crucial 2027 polls.
