Why Owaisi Chose Matera, A Stronghold Of Akhilesh’S SP, To Launch AIMIM Campaign For 2027 UP Polls

Owaisi Targets Akhilesh's Stronghold in Ambitious Campaign Launch

As the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh heats up ahead of the 2027 elections, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has chosen Matera, a constituency long aligned with the Samajwadi Party (SP), to kick off his campaign. He criticized the dominance of a single political family over the region for nearly 25 years, asserting that they have neglected the interests of ordinary Muslims and marginalized communities. Owaisi urged local voters to back Shaukat Ali for MLA, emphasizing that this would amplify the voice of Matera and Bahraich in the state assembly.

“

Muslim ab dari nahi bichaega

” — a declaration that Muslims would no longer be mere foot soldiers in political machinations — resonated through the rally. He pointed out the growing political awareness among younger voters and urged them to join AIMIM’s cause. Owaisi took a swipe at the SP, questioning the effectiveness of its representatives in the region and alleging a lack of basic facilities, including the absence of a hospital.

In a pointed critique of Akhilesh Yadav, Owaisi addressed the recent defections from the Trinamool Congress, questioning why the opposition remained silent on such issues. He remarked, “

When 20 MPs left Mamata Banerjee’s party, why did they leave? Nobody talks about that

.” Owaisi accused Yadav of political failure since 2014 and claimed he had run a deceptive campaign against AIMIM in Bihar.

Regarding potential alliances with the SP or BSP, Owaisi stated that future decisions would hinge on the political climate but insisted that AIMIM would only engage in partnerships that ensured “respect and equal partnership.” By selecting Shaukat Ali to contest from Matera, AIMIM is positioning itself to challenge the SP in a key stronghold, adding intrigue to the upcoming electoral battle.

Political analyst Shilp Shikha Singh views AIMIM’s strategy as a calculated move to solidify its support base in Bahraich before expanding its reach across Uttar Pradesh. Matera has been a bastion for the SP since 2007, with approximately 3.4 lakh voters—nearly 45 percent of whom are Muslim. The constituency's current MLA, Mariya Shah, and her husband, Yasar Shah, have both held the seat in the past.

AIMIM plans to field around 150 candidates in the upcoming elections, focusing on areas with significant Muslim populations. Party leaders believe this strategy could mirror its successes in Bihar, where they secured five seats. With Muslims comprising nearly 20 percent of Uttar Pradesh's population, AIMIM sees a crucial opportunity to make its mark in more than 70 constituencies where Muslim votes could sway outcomes.

However, Singh warns that AIMIM’s past successes in Bihar may not translate to Uttar Pradesh. “While Owaisi's party performed well in Bihar, its experience here has been starkly different,” she noted, highlighting AIMIM's failure to win any seats in the 2022 elections despite contesting 95 seats. Owaisi's recent engagements in Uttar Pradesh, including a visit in January 2025 for a parliamentary meeting, indicate a renewed commitment to the state as the 2027 elections approach. Yet, Singh emphasizes that navigating the complex political landscape dominated by the BJP and SP will be a significant challenge for Owaisi and his party.