In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Chandrashekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) have announced a pre-poll alliance under the banner of the Samajik Parivartan Morcha.
The announcement was made jointly by the two leaders at a press conference in Lucknow on Thursday, November 12. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also declared Chandrashekhar Azad as the alliance's chief ministerial candidate.
The newly formed front aims to contest all 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh and position itself as a political alternative ahead of the crucial state elections.
Chandrashekhar Azad Named Chief Ministerial Face
Announcing the alliance, Owaisi expressed confidence in the partnership and said both parties would work together to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from returning to power in Uttar Pradesh for a third consecutive term.
He described Chandrashekhar Azad as the alliance's chief ministerial face, indicating that the leadership arrangement had been decided at the time of the announcement.
Azad, who represents Nagina in the Lok Sabha, said the alliance was not merely another political formation but a platform intended to bring together communities that have historically faced social and economic disadvantages.
Focus on Dalits, Muslims and Marginalised Communities
The Samajik Parivartan Morcha has outlined a political agenda centred on the representation and welfare of marginalised sections, including Dalits, Muslims, backward communities and other disadvantaged groups.
The leaders highlighted issues such as unemployment, access to quality education, farmers' problems, healthcare and caste-based discrimination.
Azad also emphasised the need for political participation among communities that, according to him, have remained underrepresented in decision-making despite their electoral importance.
Opposition Parties Invited to Join the Alliance
The announcement comes amid discussions over opposition unity ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Both leaders indicated that the Samajwadi Party and the Congress would also be welcome to join the Morcha if they wished to work towards preventing another BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.
Azad rejected the description of the alliance as simply a third political front, arguing that it represented a broader movement for social and political change.
He also dismissed allegations that his party's alliance with AIMIM would indirectly benefit the BJP, questioning the criticism directed at smaller parties contesting elections independently.
Seat-Sharing and Electoral Challenges Ahead
Although the alliance has announced its intention to contest all 403 constituencies, the detailed seat-sharing arrangement between the two parties remains to be finalised.
The leaders are expected to outline further plans at a public rally scheduled in Lucknow on November 26, coinciding with Constitution Day. The alliance will face the challenge of converting its proposed social coalition into electoral support across Uttar Pradesh's diverse constituencies.
With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the formation of the Samajik Parivartan Morcha adds a new dimension to Uttar Pradesh's political contest, setting the stage for another closely watched electoral battle.