Owaisi opens alliance door in UP; Congress warns AIMIM could end up helping BJP

Imran Masood said only Congress can take BJP on. (ANI)

NEW DELHI: With Uttar Pradesh gearing up for the 2027 assembly elections, Congress MP Imran Masood on Monday took a swipe at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's alliance pitch, warning that the party's presence in the polls "would end up benefitting BJP."His remarks came a day after Owaisi said AIMIM was open to an alliance with "like-minded" parties seeking to prevent the BJP from returning to power in Uttar Pradesh for a third consecutive term.Speaking to ANI, Masood said, "If an alliance is to be formed, it should be finalised; otherwise, we must proceed with our own preparations. The political climate, not just here, but across the entire country, is such that one cannot move forward without the Congress; the Congress is essential.

A fight against the BJP can only be waged with the Congress; only the Congress can take them on.""Rahul Gandhi's leadership is capable of overcoming them. Finalise it (alliance) immediately. I am not aware of who is in touch; I have no information regarding that so far. If it isn't finalised, the damage happens on the ground," he added.

Responding to Owaisi's proposal, Masood said defeating the BJP was the primary objective but argued that strategic voting would be important.

"Defeating the BJP is the primary objective, and Muslims alone cannot defeat the BJP. If the BJP wins and forms the government, it is the Muslims who suffer the consequences. The political atmosphere in Hyderabad is different from that in Uttar Pradesh. Owaisi Ji might win 4-5 seats, but he ends up facilitating a BJP government. What will you do with those five MLAs? If a BJP government is formed, who suffers the loss? Since the BJP would form the government, people need to act sensibly.

People must make decisions wisely and astutely," he said.

Owaisi's alliance pitch

Owaisi had earlier on Sunday said that AIMIM was ready to work with parties that share its objective of keeping the BJP out of power in Uttar Pradesh."We do not want the BJP government to be formed for a third time in Uttar Pradesh. If anyone does not want the BJP to form the government, they can talk to us. We are ready to work with you to stop the BJP from coming to power.

But it is important to understand that you cannot stop the BJP alone," Owaisi said.Owaisi also cited AIMIM's experience in Bihar, saying the party had sought an alliance with opposition parties and asked for six seats, but the proposal was not accepted. He said AIMIM would continue building its organisation in Uttar Pradesh irrespective of alliance talks.Earlier in the day, Owaisi, meanwhile, said AIMIM was already preparing for the Uttar Pradesh elections and was hopeful of sending its candidates to the state Assembly."We are visiting specifically in connection with election preparations. Our party is fully prepared and actively gearing up; we are hopeful that this time our candidates will be elected as MLAs and enter the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly," he said.

On the possibility of an alliance, Owaisi said, "Wait until October 2nd; we will let you know by then."

Akhilesh sets 27,000-vote target

The Congress's push for an early alliance decision also comes as the Samajwadi Party steps up its preparations for the 2027 polls. At the party's state executive meeting on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav said the SP would work to increase its vote share by 27,000 votes in every assembly constituency."Today was our state executive meeting. In this, we have decided that in the 2027 assembly elections, we will work to increase 27,000 votes in every assembly seat. That means we will reduce 27,000 votes of the BJP," Yadav said.Masood also criticised the Election Commission over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) notices, questioning the difficulties they could create for ordinary citizens."What could be more farcical in this country than a situation where Members of Parliament, former Chief Ministers, and even the External Affairs Minister receive such notices? If they are getting notices, the Election Commission's situation couldn't be more absurd. Imagine the plight of the common man or those who are unemployed and struggling just to find a single meal a day. Are they expected to run around with documents? Look at the state the country has been reduced to, constantly standing in queues.

The system has failed. The system has completely collapsed," he said.