AIMIM National Spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar Quits, Joins Congress
AIMIM spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joins Congress, accusing his former party of helping BJP by opposing anti-BJP forces.
In a setback to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), its national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress on Wednesday. Waqar, considered a close aide of party chief Asaduddin Owaisi, made the switch at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of senior leaders including AICC Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress president Ajay Rai, and AICC minority department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi.
Speaking after joining, Waqar accused the AIMIM of only paying lip service to the goal of removing the BJP from power. He claimed that on the ground, the party fights the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and other opposition groups rather than the BJP. "If we keep fighting the Opposition and don't allow it to expand, then we are helping the BJP," he said, adding that those who fight the enemies of the BJP are effectively friends of the BJP.
Waqar asserted that the Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, is the only party genuinely fighting the BJP across the country. His exit comes at a time when the AIMIM has been trying to expand its footprint in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to win seats in districts with significant Muslim populations.
Congress leaders welcomed Waqar, with Rajendra Pal Gautam saying that Rahul Gandhi's leadership is drawing senior leaders from various parties to the Congress. He added that Gandhi is raising issues concerning education, employment, students, women, and marginalised sections, which is inspiring others to join the party.