Speaking at an event in Moradabad, Owaisi said his party was ready for an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, with the stated aim of preventing the BJP from returning to power in the state.
“The Majlis does not want the BJP to form the government again in Uttar Pradesh. I am ready to join hands. I am ready to form an alliance. Today is the time to talk. Don't cry later after the elections are over,” Owaisi said.
‘I’m ready to fight with you’
Owaisi said the AIMIM and Samajwadi Party should not allow their candidates to split votes if they share the same objective of defeating the BJP.
“You say that Owaisi contesting would harm us. I'm ready to fight with you,” he said, addressing the Samajwadi Party leadership.
The AIMIM chief also said his party's political fight was not against any religion but centred on equality, rights and justice.
“Our fight is for our honour and justice. We don't want to sit on a mat. We want equality,” Owaisi said.
He added that if Akhilesh Yadav were to lead the Opposition from the front, he would be willing to sit alongside him and raise issues concerning rights and justice.
BJP calls it ‘vote bank politics’
The BJP was quick to respond to Owaisi's alliance proposal, dismissing it as an attempt at vote-bank politics.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala took a swipe at both Owaisi and Yadav, accusing them of competing in what he described as “appeasement” politics.
“Akhilesh Yadav and Owaisi compete in appeasement. Today they are leaving aside the 'kaun banega bada bhaijaan' competition and saying let's do 'bhaijaan' collaboration,” Poonawala said.
He described Owaisi's proposal as a “friend request” to Akhilesh Yadav and called the two leaders “two sides of the same coin”.
Samajwadi Party key opposition force in UP
The Samajwadi Party is currently the principal opposition force in Uttar Pradesh and is expected to play a central role in challenging the BJP in the 2027 Assembly election.
Owaisi's proposal comes amid preparations for the electoral battle in the country's most populous state, where alliances and vote-sharing arrangements could play a significant role.
The AIMIM has previously contested elections in Uttar Pradesh, but an alliance with the Samajwadi Party could significantly alter the political dynamics in constituencies where the two parties might otherwise compete for overlapping sections of the electorate.
UP assembly elections due in 2027
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are scheduled for 2027.
With the BJP seeking another term under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and opposition parties preparing to challenge the ruling party, Owaisi's public outreach to Akhilesh Yadav has opened a fresh political conversation ahead of the polls.
For now, however, it remains unclear whether the Samajwadi Party will respond positively to the AIMIM chief's offer of an alliance.