Asim Waqar Joins Congress, Says BJP Must Be Defeated to Build a Secular Government
New Delhi: Former AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar has joined the Congress, marking a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Waqar made the move in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 2. He joined the Congress in the presence of senior party leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress chief Ajay Rai and Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi.
Explaining his decision, Waqar said people who love the country want to remove the BJP from power. He said they want a secular government focused on public welfare.
According to Waqar, his experience in AIMIM made him reconsider his political approach. He claimed that while the party spoke about fighting the BJP and its ideology, its electoral battles on the ground were often against parties opposing the BJP.
“I felt that if we are true patriots and honestly want to remove the BJP from power, we must come with the Congress,” Waqar said.
He described the Congress as a party that is strongly fighting the BJP. His remarks also amounted to criticism of the political strategy followed by the AIMIM leadership.
Asim Waqar’s Exit Comes Ahead of UP Elections
Waqar’s move comes at a crucial time for Uttar Pradesh politics. The state is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2027.
His departure could be significant for AIMIM’s political plans in the state. Waqar has been associated with the party for nearly a decade and served as its national spokesperson.
Before joining AIMIM, Waqar had spent around two decades with the Samajwadi Party, according to reports. His move to Congress therefore marks another major shift in his political career.
Criticism of AIMIM’s Opposition Strategy
Waqar’s main criticism centred on the opposition’s strategy against the BJP.
He argued that defeating the BJP requires opposition parties to focus their political efforts on the ruling party rather than competing primarily with one another.
His comments are likely to draw attention in Uttar Pradesh. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has been seeking to expand the party’s presence in the state ahead of the 2027 polls.
The political impact of Waqar’s move will become clearer as parties prepare for the Uttar Pradesh election campaign.