3rd front in UP? Owaisi, Dalit leader Chandrashekhar to tie-up
What's the story
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Azad Samaj Party (ASP) are reportedly planning an alliance for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Experts believe this coalition could hurt the Samajwadi Party's (SP) minority vote bank, possibly helping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The official announcement of their alliance is expected at a joint press conference in Lucknow on Thursday.
Political strategy
AIMIM slams SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
AIMIM spokesperson Shadab Chauhan said the alliance will focus on Muslim- and Dalit-dominated constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh and Rohilkhand.
"Our primary focus will be on Dalits and Muslims as they are the ones most harassed, regardless of which government is in power," Chauhan said.
He also slammed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for allegedly ignoring Dalits and Muslims.
"Akhilesh Yadav has his own PDA—Pariwar of Dhanwan and Akhilesh. He has nothing to do with Dalits and Muslims," Chauhan said.
Past results
Performance of the 2 parties in previous elections
The ASP, which primarily represents Dalit and backward communities, will reportedly contest around 150 seats, while the AIMIM is likely to field candidates in 40-50 constituencies.
The parties are also exploring the possibility of smaller outfits joining their front before the polls.
"At present, there is a broader understanding to contest polls together and focus on seats where our core vote base has substantial presence," Azad told ET.
Demographics
Demographics of Uttar Pradesh
In the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, the AIMIM-ASP-Apni Janata Party alliance won five seats.
The AIMIM contested 28 seats, winning five in the Muslim-majority Seemanchal region. The ASP contested 18 seats but didn't win any.
The proposed alliance is significant, looking at UP's demographics.
The state has a Dalit population of around 21% and Muslims make up nearly 19%. Together, these communities account for about 40% of the state's population.
Alliance
SP, BJP react
The proposed alliance could emerge as a potential disruptor in the electoral calculations, especially for the SP-Congress alliance.
Reacting to the development, UP BJP chief spokesperson Dinesh Pratap Singh said, "All political parties are free to contest from anywhere they want."
SP chief, on the other hand, sought to downplay the significance of the alliance.
"People of Uttar Pradesh have made up their mind in favor of the Samajwadi Party this time," he said.