All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday criticised the Samajwadi Party (SP) and its chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing established political parties of treating Muslims as a vote bank while failing to provide adequate opportunities for the community’s leadership.
Addressing a public meeting in Rampur ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Owaisi said young Muslims had the talent and potential to become political leaders but lacked platforms to enter public life.
“We will not make any Nehru, Gandhi, or Yadav our leader. These young sons and daughters will stand at our forefront,” Owaisi said, according to ANI.
He said AIMIM was working to provide young people from marginalised communities with opportunities to enter politics, lead the country and seek justice for the oppressed.
“You also have the talent, but you are not given a platform,” he said.
Owaisi Accuses SP of Taking Muslim Support for Granted
Owaisi also questioned the Samajwadi Party’s record in addressing the concerns of Muslims, arguing that the community had supported the party for generations without receiving adequate development opportunities in return.
Speaking to ANI, he cited Azamgarh as an example and questioned why institutions such as Shibli College had not been granted university status. He contrasted the situation with educational and sports infrastructure developed in Saifai, the home constituency of the Yadav family.
“What did you give to Azamgarh?” he asked, referring to the political influence the SP had exercised in the region.
Owaisi alleged that Muslim voters had repeatedly supported the SP but had not received sufficient attention to issues such as education, economic development and political representation.
‘Muslims Want to Become Leaders Themselves’
The AIMIM chief said Muslims should move beyond supporting established political leaders and seek a greater role in decision-making.
“Now, a new thought has emerged: Muslims want to stop creating leaders and instead become leaders themselves. We don’t want to lay out rugs; we want to talk about our share,” he said.
Owaisi also argued that the political participation of young Muslims should extend beyond raising slogans or campaigning for established leaders.
His remarks form part of AIMIM’s efforts to expand its political presence in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
AIMIM Focuses on Grassroots Presence
Owaisi urged party supporters to strengthen AIMIM’s organisation at the grassroots level and build support across polling booths. He also highlighted economic hardships and educational challenges in Rampur while calling for greater representation and equality for disadvantaged communities.
