Archive · 3 Sep 2026
AIMIM Aide Waqar Joins Congress Ahead of Uttar Pradesh Polls
Syed Asim Waqar used to be a spokesperson for the AIMIM party.
He has now joined the Congress party.
Waqar said AIMIM claims to oppose the BJP but often fights other opposition parties instead.
He said this could make it easier for the BJP to remain strong.
Waqar believes opposition parties should work together to defeat the BJP.
He described Congress and Rahul Gandhi as leading the national fight against the BJP.
Congress leaders welcomed him at their office in New Delhi.
His move may matter because Uttar Pradesh is expected to hold Assembly elections early next year.
The articles differ on the election year, with one referring to the 2027 polls.
Former AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 2.
Waqar accused AIMIM of targeting Congress, the Samajwadi Party and other opposition groups instead of prioritizing the BJP.
He said opposition parties should unite to defeat the BJP and establish a secular government focused on public welfare.
Congress leaders Rajendra Pal Gautam, Ajay Rai and Imran Pratapgarhi attended Waqar’s induction at the AICC office.
Waqar’s defection could affect Asaduddin Owaisi’s efforts to expand AIMIM’s presence among voters in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Assembly elections.
- Who
- Syed Asim Waqar, formerly AIMIM’s national spokesperson and a figure considered close to Asaduddin Owaisi, joined the Congress.
- What
- Waqar switched parties and criticized AIMIM’s strategy toward the BJP and other opposition parties.
- When
- Wednesday, September 2; the reports say Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are due early the following year, with one report identifying them as the 2027 elections.
- Where
- The induction took place at the AICC office at 24 Akbar Road in New Delhi.
- Why
- Waqar said opposition parties should focus on defeating the BJP rather than weakening other groups that also oppose it.
Waqar and Congress’s Position
AIMIM’s Position as Characterized by Waqar
Opposition strategy
Waqar and Congress’s Position
Waqar said parties seeking to defeat the BJP should make it their main target and avoid fighting other opposition parties.
AIMIM’s Position as Characterized by Waqar
Waqar alleged that AIMIM opposes the BJP rhetorically while contesting Congress, the Samajwadi Party and other groups seeking to remove it. The reports contain no direct response from AIMIM.
Congress’s national role
Waqar and Congress’s Position
Waqar said Congress, Rahul Gandhi and their teams are fighting the BJP nationwide. Rajendra Pal Gautam said Congress is also addressing education, employment, student concerns, women’s issues and marginalized communities.
AIMIM’s Position as Characterized by Waqar
As described by Waqar, AIMIM’s approach places greater emphasis on contesting other opposition parties than on directly challenging the BJP.
Impact in Uttar Pradesh
Waqar and Congress’s Position
Congress’s induction of Waqar may strengthen its outreach and contribute to efforts to unite opposition forces before the state elections.
AIMIM’s Position as Characterized by Waqar
Waqar’s departure may complicate Asaduddin Owaisi’s efforts to build AIMIM’s electoral presence among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.
- Former party
- All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)
- New party
- Indian National Congress, referred to in the reports as Congress
- Former role
- AIMIM national spokesperson and prominent voice in Uttar Pradesh
- Induction venue
- AICC office, 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi
- Congress representatives present
- Rajendra Pal Gautam, Ajay Rai and Imran Pratapgarhi
- Waqar’s allegation
- He said AIMIM publicly calls for removing the BJP but, in practice, fights Congress, the Samajwadi Party and other opposition groups
- Election context
- Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are expected early next year; one report refers to the 2027 elections
Sources
AIMIM spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joins Congress, slams Owaisi-led outfit
Jolt to Owaisi as close aide quits AIMIM, joins Cong ahead of UP polls
Asim Waqar Joins Congress, Says Opposition Unity Needed To Defeat BJP
AIMIM Spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar Joins Congress, Slams Owaisi-led Outfit
AIMIM spokesperson Waqar joins Congress
