‘Muslims Won't Spread Carpets Anymore’: Owaisi Launches UP 2027 Campaign With ‘Hissedari’ Pitch

Last Updated:June 15, 2026, 15:49 IST

The AIMIM chief said Muslims and other marginalised communities should no longer be viewed merely as vote banks for larger political parties

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched his party’s campaign for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections from Bahraich, delivering a message that went beyond the usual opposition narrative.

Speaking of “hissedari" (participation in power) and “barabari" (equality), Owaisi declared that Muslims would no longer “spread carpets" for other parties, highlighting AIMIM’s attempt to redefine political participation as a question of power-sharing rather than merely electoral support.

In his address, Owaisi said Muslims and other marginalised communities should no longer be viewed merely as vote banks for larger political parties and communities that contribute significantly to electoral victories must also receive an equitable share in political representation, decision-making and governance. His assertion that the time for “spreading carpets" for others was over was aimed at encouraging voters to seek political empowerment rather than remain confined to supporting parties that claim to represent their interests.

The remarks have sparked a fresh debate in Uttar Pradesh politics. Owaisi’s latest remark suggests that AIMIM is seeking to shift the political conversation from electoral arithmetic to representation and decision-making power, raising important questions about the future of opposition politics in the state.

According to Prof. Shashikant Pandey, head of the department of political science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, the significance of Owaisi’s statement lies in its attempt to alter the framework of minority politics.

“Owaisi is trying to move the discourse from protection to participation. For decades, Muslim politics in Uttar Pradesh has focused on supporting the party best positioned to defeat the BJP. AIMIM is now asking whether electoral support should also translate into a proportionate share in political power."

The Bahraich rally was not merely a campaign launch but a declaration of AIMIM’s strategy for the 2027 elections. By choosing a district with a sizeable Muslim population, Owaisi signalled that the party intends to expand its footprint in eastern Uttar Pradesh and challenge the established opposition narrative.

While Owaisi criticised the BJP government over alleged encounter killings and law-and-order issues, political observers believe his message was equally directed at opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party, which has traditionally enjoyed overwhelming support among Muslim voters.

“The real political contest is not only between AIMIM and the BJP," Prof Pandey said. “It is also between AIMIM and the Samajwadi Party over who can legitimately claim to represent Muslim aspirations in Uttar Pradesh."

AIMIM’s argument is that support for secular parties has not always translated into proportional political influence and Pandey believes this strategy is particularly aimed at younger voters.

“A new generation is increasingly asking questions about representation rather than symbolic accommodation. Owaisi is attempting to tap into that sentiment by framing politics as a question of participation in power."

Another key aspect of Owaisi’s speech was his criticism of alleged police encounters in Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that innocent people were being targeted and questioned what he described as the misuse of state power.

The BJP, however, has consistently projected encounters as evidence of a strong law-and-order policy and decisive action against criminals. By raising the issue, Owaisi appears to be positioning AIMIM as a defender of constitutional rights and due process.

“The encounter issue allows AIMIM to expand its appeal beyond identity politics," Pandey observed. “It enables the party to present itself as a voice for constitutional safeguards, civil liberties and legal accountability."

At the same time, AIMIM continues to explore the possibility of building a broader coalition of Muslims, Dalits and other marginalised communities. Such an alliance has often been discussed in Uttar Pradesh politics, but electoral realities have made it difficult to achieve.

“The idea of a Dalit-Muslim political alliance has theoretical strength," Pandey said. “However, transforming that idea into a sustainable electoral coalition requires grassroots organisation, credible local leadership and long-term social engagement."

Critics argue that AIMIM’s expansion in Uttar Pradesh could divide opposition votes and indirectly benefit the BJP. Owaisi has repeatedly rejected that allegation, maintaining that democratic politics should be based on genuine representation rather than tactical voting.

Whether AIMIM can convert its rhetoric into electoral success remains uncertain. The party has so far struggled to secure significant victories in Uttar Pradesh despite attracting attention through its campaigns. Yet its growing emphasis on representation, participation and power-sharing has already injected a new dimension into the state’s political discourse.

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