AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar (left) joined the Congress in New Delhi, accusing his former party of targeting Opposition forces rather than the BJP (Facebook/Syed Asim Waqar; file photo).
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress Wednesday. He claimed that AIMIM, under Asaduddin Owaisi, only pays “lip service” to removing the BJP, but in reality it is fighting against those who seek to bring down the ruling party.
Waqar, who was considered to be close to Owaisi, joined the Congress in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC)’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress president Ajay Rai and AICC minority department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi at the party office on Akbar Road in New Delhi.
According to Congress insiders, Waqar’s joining is significant as the party looks to expand its outreach among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, which goes to the polls early next year.
Speaking at a briefing, Waqar said, “On the ground, we don’t fight the BJP; we fight the Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP); we are fighting every other person who wants to remove the BJP.”
“So, I felt that if we keep fighting the Opposition and don’t allow it to expand, then we are helping the BJP. I have decided that if we are true nationalists and want to remove the BJP honestly, then our objective should be to fight the BJP. If we are fighting the enemies of the BJP, then we are friends of the BJP,” he said.
“In reality, if someone is fighting the BJP across the country, it is the Congress, Rahul Gandhi and his people,” said Waqar.
His departure comes at a time when the AIMIM aims to strengthen its presence in Uttar Pradesh, targeting to win several seats in districts with significant Muslim populations.
Story continues below this ad
Gautam said that under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, a movement is underway across the country on issues concerning education, employment, students, women, and marginalised sections.
“Rahul Gandhi is firmly raising the voice of every section and continuously cautioning the government on every front. Inspired by this, senior leaders from various parties are joining the Congress and strengthening the hands of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi,” said Gautam.