Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Samajwadi Party Reshuffles Bhiwandi Leadership, Targets Civic Issues
The Samajwadi Party changed its main leader in Bhiwandi.
Riyaz Azmi is now the city president instead of Anas Ansari.
Ansari was not removed from the party completely.
He received new responsibilities in the Maharashtra state organization and Mumbai committee.
Ahmed Hussain Siddiqui became the party’s vice-president.
The party has not explained why the change happened so early.
Its leaders want to focus on problems such as roads, water, drainage, education and healthcare.
They may organize campaigns or protests to demand solutions.
The party also wants to build stronger support at the local booth and grassroots levels.
Riyaz Azmi has replaced Anas Ansari as Samajwadi Party president in Bhiwandi.
Anas Ansari was appointed secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Samajwadi Party and special invitee to the Mumbai Pradesh executive committee.
Former Bhiwandi deputy mayor Ahmed Hussain Siddiqui was appointed the party’s vice-president.
The party has not publicly disclosed why Ansari was replaced before his tenure was due to end on June 30, 2027.
The Bhiwandi unit plans campaigns and possible protests over roads, water, drainage, education, healthcare and other civic issues.
- Who
- The Samajwadi Party, including Abu Asim Azmi, Riyaz Azmi, Anas Ansari and Ahmed Hussain Siddiqui.
- What
- The party replaced Anas Ansari as Bhiwandi city president with Riyaz Azmi and announced related organisational appointments.
- When
- The reshuffle was announced before Ansari’s scheduled tenure ended on June 30, 2027; the appointments were made within a few months of his January 2, 2026 appointment.
- Where
- At a programme in Colaba, Mumbai, concerning the Samajwadi Party’s Bhiwandi organisation.
- Why
- The party has not stated a specific reason for the leadership change, but it said it would strengthen grassroots organisation and campaign on civic problems.
- New Bhiwandi president
- Riyaz Azmi
- Former Bhiwandi president
- Anas Ansari
- Ansari’s new roles
- Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Samajwadi Party and special invitee to the Mumbai Pradesh executive committee
- Additional appointment
- Former Bhiwandi deputy mayor Ahmed Hussain Siddiqui was named vice-president
- Original appointment date
- Anas Ansari became Bhiwandi city president on January 2, 2026
- Scheduled end of Ansari’s tenure
- June 30, 2027
- Planned campaign issues
- Roads, water supply, drainage, education, healthcare and other basic civic amenities