Nasimuddin Siddiqui Joins SP: Will Muslim Face And ‘Mini CM’ Of BSP Era Change 2027 UP Poll Math?

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 19:46 IST

For the SP, Nasimuddin Siddiqui's induction strengthens the party’s Muslim leadership profile at a time when senior leader Azam Khan has faced prolonged legal, political setbacks

Will the entry of a seasoned Muslim face like Nasimuddin Siddiqui into the Samajwadi Party reshape the political arithmetic of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections?

“We have to aim at the bird’s eye. The goal is clear — change the government in 2027 and make Akhilesh Yadav the Chief Minister," said Naseemuddin Siddiqui, shortly after joining the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow — a move widely seen as a significant development in Uttar Pradesh politics ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Inducted into the party in the presence of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Siddiqui was accompanied by over 15,000 supporters, many believed to be former workers of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Political observers say his entry could help the SP consolidate Muslim voters while denting the BSP’s traditional cadre base across western Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand.

In an interaction with News18, Siddiqui said his immediate focus would be strengthening the organisation at the grassroots. “The coming months are crucial. I will travel extensively and ensure that the message of inclusive politics reaches every booth," he said.

From Railway Contractor to Political Heavyweight

Nasimuddin Siddiqui’s journey in Uttar Pradesh politics has been long and eventful. Born on June 4, 1959, he did not come from a political family. In his early years, he briefly served in the Army but had to leave due to his mother’s illness. Thereafter, he became active as a railway contractor — a profession that marked the beginning of his public life.

Around 1990, Siddiqui came into contact with BSP founder Kanshi Ram, a meeting that would alter the course of his career. He had formally joined the BSP in 1984 and began his political journey through municipal elections. In 1991, he was elected as an MLA from the Banda Assembly seat, becoming one of the BSP’s earliest and most prominent Muslim legislators.

Over time, he emerged as a key organisational figure within the BSP.

Not Just A Symbolic Muslim Face

Political analysts believe Siddiqui’s return to a regional power centre could have ripple effects. A Lucknow-based political expert Shashikant Pandey, head, department of political science, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, said, “Naseemuddin Siddiqui is not just a symbolic Muslim face. He brings decades of booth-level organisational experience, especially in Bundelkhand and parts of western Uttar Pradesh. His influence among former BSP workers could help the Samajwadi Party penetrate pockets where it has historically struggled. While he may not single-handedly shift vote banks, in a closely contested election, even a 2–3% swing in specific constituencies can alter outcomes."

Pandey said that Siddiqui’s entry also sends a psychological message to the cadre. “It signals that the Samajwadi Party is serious about expanding its social coalition beyond its traditional Yadav-Muslim base. Bringing in a leader who once managed the BSP’s electoral machinery adds both experience and perception of strength."

For the SP, the induction appears to be both strategic and timely. For Siddiqui, it marks yet another recalibration in a long political career — one that now hinges on whether his experience can translate into tangible gains in 2027.

The “Mini CM" of BSP Governments

Siddiqui served as a minister in all BSP-led governments under party supremo Mayawati. His political stature peaked during the 2007–2012 BSP government, when he handled as many as 18 ministries simultaneously — earning him the nickname “Mini Chief Minister" in political circles.

He was widely regarded as one of Mayawati’s closest confidants, with influence extending from ticket distribution and party organisation to financial management. His administrative grip and organisational control made him one of the most powerful figures in the BSP during its majority government.

Between 2012 and 2017, after the BSP lost power, Siddiqui served as Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, further cementing his stature in state politics.

However, in 2017, following the BSP’s electoral defeat, Mayawati expelled him from the party — a dramatic end to a decades-long association. Siddiqui subsequently floated his own political outfit, attempting to carve an independent space. The experiment, however, did not yield significant traction.

Unease Within Congress

In 2018, Siddiqui joined the Congress, where he was promoted as a key Muslim face in western Uttar Pradesh. The party sought to leverage his influence in regions where he had long-standing organisational networks.

However, dissatisfaction reportedly grew within Congress ranks over his role and influence. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was not given prominence, and with the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, Siddiqui appeared increasingly uncertain about his political future within the party.

On January 24, 2026, he resigned from the Congress, stating that he had joined to fight casteism and communalism but had been unable to work effectively on the ground. He maintained respect for the party’s top leadership but indicated that there was no meaningful role left for him.

Despite quitting, he refrained from attacking the Congress, particularly given the alliance between the Congress and the SP in Uttar Pradesh — an understanding that is expected to continue into 2027.

A New Political Chapter with SP

Now, just a year ahead of the Assembly elections, Siddiqui has found a new political home in the Samajwadi Party. On February 15, in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav, he formally joined the SP along with his supporters.

For the SP, his induction is both symbolic and strategic. It strengthens the party’s Muslim leadership profile at a time when senior leader Azam Khan has faced prolonged legal and political setbacks. It also sends a message to voters in Bundelkhand and western UP that the party is expanding its social coalition.

For Naseemuddin Siddiqui, the move marks yet another turn in a political journey that began as a railway contractor and rose to the corridors of power as a “Mini CM" in the BSP era.

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