Akhilesh backs Owaisi-Chandrashekhar alliance, says BJP could lose 2-3 pc votes
Welcoming the Samajik Parivartan Morcha, the SP chief said it could offer voters an alternative to communal forces, while the BJP and Congress questioned the alliance's motives
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday (November 12) welcomed the alliance between the AIMIM and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying it could offer an alternative to voters influenced by communal forces and cost the BJP 2-3 per cent of its votes.
Yadav said his party would extend its cooperation to take the “honest voice” of those fighting communal forces for the welfare of PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities to the people.
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The remarks came after leaders of the ‘Samajik Parivartan Morcha’, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) president Chandrashekhar Aazad, announced the alliance for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on Thursday.
‘BJP will be left with nothing’
In a post on X, Yadav said social transformation was necessary, but real success would come only when a “political transformation front” became active. He said such an initiative could benefit the Opposition by offering an alternative to people who had earlier voted for communal forces under the influence of emotional slogans and misleading promises.
“An additional option will now be available to such innocent people who cast their votes after being misled. This will cause the BJP a loss of 2-3 per cent votes. The BJP will be left with nothing,” Yadav said in his post.
He maintained that political fronts formed with the genuine intention of working for the welfare of their respective communities strengthened democracy, but cautioned against initiatives driven by hidden political motives.
“People understand the truth about those whose sole objective is to create political excitement through speeches and statements,” he said, adding that voters could reject those who merely became puppets of political interests.
Yadav expressed hope that the formation of such fronts would bring an end to the practice of political parties or leaders claiming to be the sole representatives of particular vote banks and encourage everyone to work sincerely for the interests of their communities.
BJP, Congress target new alliance
Meanwhile, the formation of the Samajik Parivartan Morcha drew sharp reaction from the ruling BJP, which asserted its commitment to marginalised sections.
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BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary said opposition parties treated Dalits, backward classes and deprived sections merely as vote banks, but the BJP provided them respect, security and opportunities.
Congress leader Asim Waqar, who recently switched from the AIMIM to the Congress, alleged that the newly announced alliance was formed at the BJP's behest.
“Some leaders work from time to time to help the BJP,” Waqar said in a video statement. He urged voters, particularly from the Muslim community, to prevent the ruling party from securing a third consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh.
(With agency inputs)