Former AIMIM Spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar Joins Congress in New Delhi

Former spokesperson of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress on Wednesday at the party headquarters in New Delhi, criticising the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party for undermining opposition unity against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The induction took place in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Uttar Pradesh Rajendra Pal Gautam, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai, and AICC Minority Department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi.

Explaining his decision to switch sides, Mr. Waqar stated that his years in the AIMIM had convinced him that a party seeking to remove the BJP from power could not simultaneously weaken those fighting the ruling party.

“We say that the BJP must be removed, but on the ground we do not fight the BJP. We fight the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and every other force seeking to remove the BJP,” Mr. Waqar said. He added that “if we keep fighting the Opposition and do not allow it to grow, then we are helping the BJP,” remarking that “if we are fighting the enemies of the BJP, then we are friends of the BJP.”

Mr. Waqar stated that the Congress and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi were leading the fight against the BJP at the national level.

Addressing the joining, Mr. Gautam said Mr. Waqar’s decision reflected the growing appeal of the Congress’s campaign on issues of education, employment, women, and marginalised sections.

Mr. Rai said the induction of Mr. Waqar would strengthen the Congress in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. Mr. Waqar was known as a prominent AIMIM voice in Uttar Pradesh and was considered close to Mr. Owaisi. His departure occurs as the AIMIM attempts to expand its political presence in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is likely to face a joint challenge from the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in the upcoming state polls.