Want to become UP CM? Bring Asaduddin Owaisi: AIMIM to Akhilesh Yadav

AIMIM leader Shadab Chauhan said Akhilesh Yadav would need Asaduddin Owaisi's support to become Uttar Pradesh chief minister. His remarks sharpen the contest among Opposition parties over minority and backward-caste votes in the state.The AIMIM remarks come amid efforts by political parties in Uttar Pradesh to consolidate different social and electoral groups ahead of the next Assembly polls. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has taken a swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying he would need the support of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi if he wants to become Uttar Pradesh chief minister.AIMIM leader Shadab Chauhan said Yadav's political strategy would remain incomplete without Owaisi and claimed that the “A” in the Samajwadi Party's PDA — referring to the party's formulation of “Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak” — should stand for Asaduddin Owaisi.Chauhan made the remarks while advising Yadav on his political strategy and the prospects of the Opposition ahead of the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.“If Akhilesh Yadav wants to become the chief minister, he will have to take the support of Asaduddin Owaisi,” Chauhan said. He further claimed that Muslims had made up their minds that their votes should contribute to electing a leader who represents their interests.AIMIM TAKES AIM AT AKHILESH'S PDATaking a direct dig at the Samajwadi Party's PDA strategy, Chauhan said Yadav could not hope to return to power unless the alliance's “A” also represented Asaduddin Owaisi. “Until there is ‘A’ for Asaduddin Owaisi in Akhilesh Yadav's PDA, he cannot even dream of coming to power,” Chauhan said.The AIMIM leader's remarks come amid efforts by political parties in Uttar Pradesh to consolidate different social and electoral groups ahead of the next Assembly polls. The Samajwadi Party has sought to build its political strategy around backward classes, Dalits and minority communities.Chauhan claimed that AIMIM remained an important political option for Yadav and suggested that cooperation with Owaisi's party would be necessary if the SP chief wanted to strengthen his electoral prospects.AIMIM LEADER ATTACKS IMRAN MASOODChauhan also targeted Congress MP Imran Masood, accusing him of praising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being part of the Opposition.He said Masood was praising the BJP in a manner that suggested he had effectively aligned himself with the ruling party.Chauhan also urged Akhilesh Yadav to focus on his own social base, claiming that sections of it were moving towards the BJP.The remarks highlight the continuing political competition among Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh, particularly over minority and backward-caste votes. AIMIM has previously sought to expand its electoral footprint in the state, while the Samajwadi Party has positioned itself as a major Opposition force against the BJP.Chauhan's comments are likely to add another layer to the political debate over Opposition unity and vote consolidation in Uttar Pradesh.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 30, 2026 13:56 IST