Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), announced Shaukat Ali as the party’s candidate for the Matera Assembly constituency in Bahraich for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on June 15. Speaking at a large public gathering in Matera, Owaisi expressed the party’s willingness to form a pre-poll alliance to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), provided it is based on “respect and equality.”
Owaisi stated, “If anyone wants to come together to stop the BJP, we are ready. But it has to be an alliance based on dignity and equality. We will not accept being treated as a party meant only to spread the carpet for others. The discussion must now be about political participation and a fair share in power.”
Seeking to strengthen AIMIM’s presence in Uttar Pradesh, he said, “I announce Shaukat Ali as AIMIM’s candidate from Matera. This mood is not confined to Matera alone; it can be seen in many constituencies across Uttar Pradesh.” The Matera seat is currently held by a Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA.
At the rally, Owaisi criticized both the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party for failing to address minority concerns and social justice issues. He alleged that the Yogi Adityanath government victimises innocent people under the guise of law and order, referring to police encounters and citing a court order from a case involving alleged wrongful imprisonment. He said, “The Uttar Pradesh government itself speaks of thousands of encounters. The Constitution talks about the rule of law, not the rule of the gun.”
Owaisi further questioned contradictions in the BJP’s stance on cow protection and beef exports, alleging selective attention to issues of communal violence and discrimination against Muslims. He referred to mosque disputes in Sambhal and Varanasi, emphasizing that attempts to target a community would not weaken its faith or beliefs.
The AIMIM chief also criticized SP leader Akhilesh Yadav for targeting AIMIM unfairly while remaining silent on opposition leaders who subsequently joined the BJP. He claimed attempts to hinder AIMIM’s electoral growth in Bihar’s Seemanchal region were rejected by voters, resulting in the election of AIMIM legislators.
Addressing national issues, Owaisi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for its response to recent events in West Asia. He questioned the Centre’s silence over the deaths of three Indian citizens during the Iran conflict and accused it of failing to speak firmly against the United States and Israel.
The event in Matera marks AIMIM’s first significant political mobilization in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
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