Lucknow, August 24: As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections of 2027 approach, political parties are ramping up their preparations. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is also striving to establish its political presence in the state. The party’s primary focus is on forming a coalition; however, if an agreement on seat-sharing is not reached, AIMIM is ready to contest the elections independently.
Political analysts believe that AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi understands the electoral significance of Uttar Pradesh. This is why the party is concentrating on assembly constituencies where Muslim voters can significantly influence the election outcomes. Owaisi has personally toured areas from Western Uttar Pradesh to Bahraich in the Terai region to assess the party’s prospects. Currently, AIMIM is intensifying its activities in several assembly seats, including Prayagraj, Bahraich, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Rampur, and Amroha, focusing on strengthening its grassroots organization.
The party aims to solidify its political base in regions where Muslim voter demographics could sway electoral equations. The situation regarding a coalition remains unclear, prompting AIMIM to keep its options open. According to party leaders, if no coalition materializes, AIMIM is prepared to contest elections on its own across approximately 200 to 250 assembly seats.
Senior political analyst Virendra Singh Rawat notes that AIMIM has an opportunity to strengthen its political foundation based on its performance in the 2023 local body elections. Several of the party’s candidates won in local elections, establishing their presence. AIMIM is now strategizing to carry this local electoral success into the assembly elections.
He emphasized that the role of Muslim voters is deemed crucial in determining electoral outcomes across various regions, including Western Uttar Pradesh, Awadh, and Purvanchal. If AIMIM successfully expands its support base in these areas, its impact could extend beyond just its vote percentage, potentially affecting the electoral calculations of the Samajwadi Party. However, AIMIM has not performed effectively in previous assembly elections and has yet to secure a seat in the assembly.
Senior political analyst Hujjat Raza suggests that if Owaisi’s AIMIM contests the elections independently, it could lead to a division of opposition votes, likely benefiting the BJP. Conversely, if the opposition coalition led by the Samajwadi Party and Congress includes AIMIM, the electoral landscape could shift, potentially favoring the opposition.
He also mentioned the potential collaboration with leaders and parties like Chandrashekhar Azad and Pallavi Patel, viewing it through the lens of the ‘Bhim-MIM’ equation. However, it is premature to draw any conclusions regarding the involvement of candidates connected to the family of Atiq Ahmed in the elections.
AIMIM Central Zone President Sheikh Tahir Siddiqui stated that the party is fully prepared to open its account in the 2027 assembly elections. He remarked, “We are in favor of a coalition with all opposition parties that ensures a respectable share to stop the BJP. Whether it’s a collaboration with the BSP or contesting alongside Chandrashekhar Azad and other parties, our goal is to prevent the BJP from gaining power.”
He added that if the coalition picture is not clear by September, AIMIM will proceed to contest elections on 200 to 250 seats in Uttar Pradesh. The party is actively preparing at the booth level and is receiving applications from across the state to contest elections.
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