Owaisi and Chandra Shekhar Azad Join Hands for 2027 UP Assembly Elections, Set to Announce Alliance in Lucknow

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) chief Chandra Shekhar Azad are set to form an alliance for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The two leaders are expected to announce an alliance between their parties at a joint press conference in Lucknow on Thursday.

Party leaders said that the two parties have agreed to contest the upcoming Assembly elections together. The details of the alliance, including its name and seat-sharing arrangement, are expected to be announced at the press conference scheduled for 12 pm.

An AIMIM source confirmed the development to The Indian Express.

The proposed alliance is expected to focus on consolidating Dalit and Muslim voters, two significant electoral constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. The partnership brings together Owaisi’s AIMIM, which seeks to strengthen its support among Muslim voters, and Azad’s party, which has been working to expand its political base among Dalits, particularly younger voters.

Third Political Front Taking Shape in Uttar Pradesh

The alliance could emerge as an alternative political formation outside the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Samajwadi Party-led opposition bloc.

AIMIM spokesperson Shadab Chauhan confirmed that the two parties would come together for the Assembly elections, adding that the formal details of the agreement would be announced at the joint press conference.

The parties are yet to disclose the number of constituencies they intend to contest or whether other smaller political outfits will join the proposed alliance.

According to reports, the two leaders have held several rounds of discussions over the past month before reaching an understanding.

The development comes after Owaisi’s efforts to secure an electoral understanding with the Samajwadi Party and Congress failed to produce an agreement. AIMIM had expressed interest in becoming part of a broader opposition arrangement for the Uttar Pradesh elections.

AIMIM’s Uttar Pradesh president Shaukat Ali said the party had approached Azad after its attempts to reach an understanding with the Samajwadi Party, Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party did not materialise.

Dalit-Muslim Consolidation at the Centre of Alliance

The proposed partnership aims to bring Dalit and Muslim communities onto a common political platform. Together, these communities account for a substantial share of Uttar Pradesh’s population and could play an important role in the 2027 electoral contest.

AIMIM has been seeking to expand its presence in Uttar Pradesh under Owaisi’s leadership, while Azad has been attempting to establish the Azad Samaj Party as a significant political voice representing Dalits and marginalised communities.

Chandra Shekhar Azad, who represents the Nagina Lok Sabha constituency, has built his political profile through the Bhim Army and his mobilisation among Dalit communities.

The alliance could also have implications for the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, both of which have traditionally sought support among sections of Muslim and Dalit voters.

However, the electoral impact of the proposed partnership will depend on its seat-sharing arrangements, candidate selection and ability to translate community-level support into votes.

Both Parties Struggled in 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections

The two parties have previously contested elections independently in Uttar Pradesh but have struggled to convert their vote shares into Assembly seats.

In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, AIMIM contested 95 constituencies but failed to win a single seat, securing approximately 0.49 per cent of the total votes.

The Azad Samaj Party also contested more than 100 constituencies but did not win any seats, polling around 0.13 per cent of the votes.

The upcoming alliance is expected to provide both parties an opportunity to coordinate their electoral strategies and pool their organisational resources.

Azad’s victory from Nagina in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections gave his party a significant parliamentary presence and strengthened his position in Uttar Pradesh politics.

Meanwhile, Owaisi has continued to pursue an expansion strategy for AIMIM beyond its traditional political strongholds.

Alliance Details Awaited Ahead of 2027 Polls

The joint press conference in Lucknow is expected to provide clarity on the alliance’s political objectives, seat-sharing formula and possible participation of other regional parties.

The 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections will see political parties competing for all 403 seats in the state legislature.

With the BJP seeking another term and the Samajwadi Party working to strengthen its opposition coalition, the proposed Owaisi-Azad partnership could add another political formation to the state’s evolving electoral landscape.

The extent to which the alliance can establish itself as a credible third front will become clearer once the two leaders formally announce their electoral strategy.