Setback for AIMIM: National Spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar Set to Join Congress Ahead of UP Polls

Lucknow: In a development that could significantly dampen Asaduddin Owaisi’s aspirations in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar is reportedly poised to jump ship to the Congress.

The move marks a major departure for Waqar, a prominent political voice who has been associated with Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) for nearly a decade. Sources familiar with the developments suggest that Waqar is scheduled to join the Congress in Delhi this Wednesday.

A Strategic Blow

Waqar, who brings with him two decades of prior experience with the Samajwadi Party, has reportedly been disillusioned with the internal decision-making processes within the AIMIM’s Uttar Pradesh unit. His exit is being viewed as a significant blow to Owaisi, who has been working tirelessly to shed the “vote-cutter” image often attributed to his party by political rivals.

Insiders suggest that Minority Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi played a pivotal role in facilitating the switch. While Waqar has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, the timing of the defection—just months before the crucial state elections—threatens to undercut Owaisi’s strategy to expand his footprint in Uttar Pradesh.

This political shift is expected to strengthen the Congress’s hand in Uttar Pradesh. With the Congress and the Samajwadi Party already operating as an alliance, the addition of established leaders like Waqar could bolster their collective bargaining power as seat-sharing negotiations commence.

Owaisi Remains Defiant

Despite the impending departure of a key aide, Asaduddin Owaisi remains optimistic about his party’s prospects. Speaking to news agency IANS last month, the AIMIM chief insisted that his organization in Uttar Pradesh is stronger than ever.

“Our party has not yet decided how many seats we will contest, but we will definitely fight the polls,” Owaisi stated. He dismissed the “vote-cutter” narrative as a “false accusation” and an illusion created by the ruling party to distract from the reality of their governance.

Owaisi further claimed that the public is increasingly viewing the AIMIM as a viable alternative. “Many MLAs from the AIMIM party will be successful in the upcoming Assembly elections,” he asserted, banking on a growing sentiment among voters to strengthen their own independent political leadership.

Beyond the AIMIM

The Congress’s recruitment drive appears to extend beyond the AIMIM. According to reports, the party is also in active talks with Kaushal Kishore, a former BJP Member of Parliament from the Mohanlalganj constituency and a former minister in the Union government.

As the election landscape in Uttar Pradesh continues to evolve, these high-profile defections underscore the intense maneuvering underway as parties scramble to secure their influence over the state’s pivotal Muslim and diverse voter demographics. For Owaisi, the challenge now lies in proving that his movement can withstand the loss of a veteran spokesperson and maintain its momentum on the ground.