After a five-month delay, the new committee’s formation sees Ansari replace Raza, settling a two-and-a-half-year rivalry sparked by a public snub at a Republic Day event in 2023
NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW – The Uttar Pradesh State Haj Committee has been reconstituted after a five-month wait, with Governor Anandiben Patel nominating 13 new members this week (May 14). In a significant political shift, Minority Minister Danish Azad Ansari has secured a place on the committee. At the same time, former minister Mohsin Raza has been removed, marking the culmination of a two-and-a-half-year rivalry between the two prominent Muslim leaders in the Yogi Adityanath government.
The reshuffle follows a public dispute on 26 January 2023, during a Republic Day event outside the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Both Ansari and Raza were on stage alongside Chief Minister Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak. As Ansari moved to sit next to Pathak, Raza physically pulled him aside and took the seat himself. The incident, captured on video, went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion about the power struggle between the two leaders.
“That moment was humiliating, but I chose to focus on my work for the community,” Ansari said, reflecting on the 2023 incident. “Today, my inclusion in the Haj Committee is a testament to patience and perseverance,” media reports quoted him as saying
The 2023 snub was not the first point of contention. In 2022, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government in the state for a second term, Ansari was appointed to the cabinet as a key Muslim representative, replacing Raza, who had served as a minister in the previous term. Despite losing his ministerial position, Raza retained influence as chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee — until now.
“Raza’s actions in 2023 showed he was still clinging to power,” said political analyst Sanjay Mishra. “Ansari has now turned the tables, using his position as minority minister to reshape the committee in his favour.”
The newly formed Haj Committee includes a mix of people’s representatives, religious experts, and social workers. Alongside Ansari, the nominated members are Wali Mohammad, Nadeemul Hasan, Syed Ali Warsi, Hafiz Ejaz Ahmed, Syed Kalbe Hussain, Muhammad Iftekhar Hussain, Kamran Khan, Junaid Ahmed Ansari, Javed Qamar Khan, and Qamaruddin (Jugnu). The executive officers of the Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board and the Uttar Pradesh State Haj Committee will also serve as members.
As a minister, Ansari played a key role in proposing the committee’s members to the governor. Sources suggest that most of the new members are aligned with Ansari, positioning him as a likely candidate for the committee’s chairmanship. “The composition of the committee reflects Ansari’s growing influence,” said a senior BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s clear he has consolidated his position within the party and the community.”
For Raza, the exclusion from the Haj Committee marks a significant setback. After serving as a minister from 2017 to 2022, he was appointed chairman of the Haj Committee, a role that allowed him to maintain political relevance. His removal now leaves him without a formal position in the state’s political structure.
“Mohsin Raza served the party and the community with dedication,” said a supporter, who declined to be named. “It’s unfortunate that internal rivalries have led to his exclusion from the committee.”
The rivalry between Ansari and Raza has been a topic of interest in Uttar Pradesh’s political circles, with the 2023 chair-snatching incident symbolising their broader struggle for prominence. While Raza’s actions at the Republic Day event were seen as an assertion of authority, Ansari’s strategic manoeuvring in the Haj Committee’s formation has given him the upper hand.
“This is politics — timing and strategy matter,” said Mishra, the political analyst. “Ansari waited for the right moment and used his ministerial authority to settle the score.”
The formation of the Haj Committee is a significant development for Uttar Pradesh’s Muslim community, as the committee oversees arrangements for the annual Haj pilgrimage. With Ansari at the helm, the committee is expected to prioritise community welfare and streamline pilgrimage processes.
“My focus is on serving the people and ensuring the Haj pilgrimage is managed effectively,” Ansari said. “This committee will work tirelessly to meet the needs of our community.”
As the dust settles on this political shake-up, the focus now shifts to how Ansari will lead the Haj Committee and whether Raza can reclaim his standing within the BJP. For now, Ansari’s victory in this long-running feud is undeniable, marking a new chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.
