AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joins Congress, takes swipe at Owaisi-led party

AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress on Wednesday and took a swipe at the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party, alleging that it claims to oppose the BJP but ends up fighting opposition parties on the ground.

Waqar joined the Congress in the presence of AICC in-charge for Uttar Pradesh Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress chief Ajay Rai and AICC Minority Department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi at the party office on 24 Akbar Road.

Welcoming Waqar into the party, Gautam said a movement was underway under the leadership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on issues including education, employment, students, women and marginalised sections.

"Rahul Gandhi ji 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 Party," he said.

Waqar said his objective was to help remove the BJP from power and form a secular government that works in the interest of the people.

"But I felt being in the AIMIM for so many years that we pay lip service by stating that the BJP must be removed but on the ground we don't fight the BJP, we fight the Congress, the SP, we are fighting every other person who wants to remove the BJP," he said.

"If we keep fighting the opposition and do not allow it to blossom, then who are we helping the BJP?" Waqar said, adding that those genuinely seeking to defeat the BJP should focus their fight on the ruling party.

"In reality if someone is fighting the BJP across the country it is Congress, Rahul Gandhi and his team," he asserted.

Waqar had been a prominent AIMIM voice in Uttar Pradesh and was considered close to party chief Owaisi.

His move to the Congress comes ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which are scheduled for early next year. The BJP is expected to face a challenge from the Congress and Samajwadi Party, which have been allies in the state.

Waqar's exit could potentially affect the AIMIM's efforts to expand its political presence in Uttar Pradesh.