AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi challenges Akhilesh Yadav to name Muslim CM face

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday challenged Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav to name a Muslim leader from his party as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, asking why he had not stepped aside to make way for such a leader.

Taking a swipe at Yadav, Owaisi recalled the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and the displacement of thousands of people, questioning the SP chief’s claims about the safety of Muslims during his tenure as Chief Minister.

"Akhilesh Yadav should go ahead, name one! Pick anyone from your party and step aside to let them lead. Who is stopping you? You were the Chief Minister for so many years, and your tenure ended in 2017. Now you talk about having a Muslim Chief Minister? Take a look at yourself in the mirror! Remember the Muzaffarnagar incident? More than 50,000 people were left homeless. How can you even talk about 'safety'?" Owaisi told reporters.

His remarks came amid political reactions to the newly formed 'Samajik Parivartan Morcha', an alliance between the AIMIM and the Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram, led by Chandrashekhar Azad.

Defending the alliance, Owaisi said it had been formed on the basis of mutual respect to offer a strong political alternative in Uttar Pradesh. He also confirmed that Chandrashekhar Azad had been named the alliance's Chief Ministerial candidate.

"Our alliance has been formed with mutual respect, with the aim of providing a strong political alternative for Uttar Pradesh. We have named Chandrashekhar Sahab as our Chief Ministerial candidate," he said.

Owaisi further alleged that rival parties were uneasy about the new political front and were making erratic statements in response to its formation.

"They are feeling uneasy now, which is why they are making such nonsensical and erratic statements," he added.

Reacting to Owaisi's remarks, SP MP Mohibbullah Nadvi questioned his involvement in Uttar Pradesh politics and asked him to focus on issues in his home state, Telangana. He also objected to Owaisi's reported use of the term "Abdul" to refer to Muslims, saying they should be called Muslims or Musalmans.

"Well, the INDIA alliance already has the Muslim League. Why is Owaisi travelling from Hyderabad to lay the political groundwork for Chandrashekhar instead of strengthening his own position? I strongly object to Owaisi's referring to Muslims as 'Abdul'. The correct terms are Muslim or Musalman. Muslims must protect their own rights and choose their representatives through their own judgement, rather than depending on leaders from other states. Owaisi should focus on issues back home. There are attempts to convert the historic Charminar into a temple. Why doesn't he speak out on this issue?" Nadvi told ANI.

Nadvi also defended Akhilesh Yadav, saying political activity was gathering pace in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

"With elections not yet announced, political activity is picking up in Uttar Pradesh. Leaders are making efforts to strengthen their political positions and secure their place in the upcoming elections," he said.

Expressing confidence in the SP's prospects, Nadvi said voters would continue to back the party's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) narrative and Yadav's message of social justice.

"However, the people of Uttar Pradesh have shown political awareness and supported the PDA and Akhilesh Yadav's message that social justice is the solution to the state's and country's problems. I believe Akhilesh Yadav will form the government in UP in the upcoming elections," he added.

The political exchange comes as parties prepare for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The Samajik Parivartan Morcha has said it will focus on education, unemployment, healthcare and farmers' issues. It has also invited other parties, including the SP and Congress, to join the alliance.

Chandrashekhar Azad has announced that the front will contest all 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.

(With ANI inputs)