With the state’s significant Muslim population, the party’s Lucknow conference signals a determined effort to expand influence and challenge established parties
NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW — As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the All India Majlis-e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, is gearing up for a significant political push in the state. The party held a state-level conference in the state capital Lucknow on Saturday (14 June), marking its strategic expansion to challenge the dominance of established parties and represent the interests of the Muslim community in the country’s most populous state.
The Uttar Pradesh elections, although nearly two years away, are already stirring a fresh wave of political manoeuvring. Parties across the spectrum are actively seeking to build alliances and win over voters. AIMIM, already influential in Telangana and Maharashtra, aims to replicate its success in Uttar Pradesh, where the Muslim community plays a vital role in electoral outcomes.
Speaking after the conference, AIMIM’s Uttar Pradesh State President Shaukat Ali highlighted the party’s determination to make a difference: “We aim to bring the real voice of Muslims to the assembly and ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed with sincerity and strength.” Ali further added, “The time has come for Indian Muslims in UP to assert their political rights without fear or favour.”
The AIMIM has been steadily gaining ground in Uttar Pradesh since the last elections. With its focused approach, the party managed to impact the vote share of major political players, including the ruling BJP, Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress, and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). This growing influence has not gone unnoticed by the political establishment.
One of the key factors bolstering AIMIM’s image is the prominent role played by its chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, in national politics. Following “Operation Sindoor,” Owaisi was included in a central government delegation of Members of Parliament that apprised foreign leaders of issues related to terrorism and national security. This visibility enhanced AIMIM’s stature beyond just Muslim voters and gave it wider recognition among other communities.
According to experts, the Muslim population in Uttar Pradesh ranges between 19 to 23 percent, making the community a crucial vote bank. Certain districts have a particularly high Muslim presence, which cannot be ignored in any electoral strategy. For example, Rampur has a Muslim population exceeding 50 percent, followed by Moradabad (47.12%), Bijnor (43.04%), Saharanpur (41.95%), and several others where Muslims form over 30 percent of the population.
Local political analysts observe that these areas have often been overlooked or taken for granted by mainstream parties, which either divide Muslim votes or fail to address their genuine issues. AIMIM’s arrival promises to challenge this pattern and give Muslims a platform to demand justice, equality, and development.
“Mainstream parties have used Muslim votes for decades but failed to bring substantial change for the community,” said Dr Saeed Khan, a political commentator based in Lucknow. “AIMIM’s emergence offers an alternative where Muslims can directly choose representatives who understand their needs and fight for their rights.”
In the last general elections, AIMIM’s decision to contest in several constituencies, often in alliance with smaller regional parties, upset the political equations, particularly affecting the vote share of the BSP and SP. This new dynamic forced traditional parties to reconsider their strategies.
Shaukat Ali remarked, “We are not here just to contest elections. Our goal is to build an organisation that truly serves the people, fights discrimination, and ensures the social and economic upliftment of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.”
The conference also focused on strategies to strengthen grassroots connections, organise youth wings, and engage women voters, who remain a largely untapped demographic. “Empowering Muslim women voters will be central to our campaign,” said party spokesperson Farida Begum. “Their voice matters, and they deserve respect and representation.”
The BJP’s approach towards Muslims has been criticised by many as divisive and exclusionary, which has led to growing alienation among the community. AIMIM’s rise is viewed by supporters as a natural response to this marginalisation.
Local shopkeeper Ahmed Hussain from Moradabad said, “We have seen promises come and go. AIMIM is the first party that speaks openly about our problems without fear. We need a party that respects us and works for our welfare.”
While some political observers caution that AIMIM’s growing presence could split the Muslim vote and benefit BJP or others, the party’s leaders argue that a divided vote bank is the result of longstanding neglect and lack of genuine representation. AIMIM seeks to unify Muslim voters under one banner with clear, community-focused policies.
The state conference in Lucknow came as a clear message to all political parties that AIMIM is here to stay and will work relentlessly to ensure Muslims get their due share in governance and development.
As the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections approach, a dramatic reshuffle in the political landscape seems to be on the cards. AIMIM’s determined efforts to expand and consolidate Muslim votes could change the state’s political equations in favour of justice, equality, and real representation.
