New Delhi, 02 September— All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress Wednesday giving a big jolt to his erstwhile party supremo Asaduddin Owaisi who has been trying to expand the party base in the biggest state scheduled to go for assembly poll early next year.
Addressing newspersons at the Congress office at 24 Akbar Road in Delhi, Asim Waqar said the AIMIM only pays “lip service” to oppose the BJP, but in reality, it is fighting against those who are working hard to bring down the saffron party.
Waqar, who was considered to be close to Owaisi, joined the Congress in the presence of AICC’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress president Ajay Rai and AICC minority department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi. a 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 is trying to strengthen its base in UP targeting to win several seats in districts with significant Muslim populations.
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.
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