AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has delivered a sharp political broadside against the Congress, holding it “among those responsible” for India’s Partition while dismantling the persistent allegation that his party acts as a ‘B-team’ of the BJP. Speaking at a rally in Surat, Owaisi turned the opposition’s narrative on its head and challenged it to defeat the BJP through electoral strength rather than excuses.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity around the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, where opposition parties have repeatedly claimed that AIMIM’s presence splits votes and benefits the BJP. Owaisi countered this argument with pointed electoral arithmetic. He said Congress is contesting all 294 seats in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress is also fighting extensively, and the Left Front is contesting around 250 seats. AIMIM, in contrast, is contesting only 11 seats.
Bengal Arithmetic Exposes Opposition’s Claim
Owaisi explained that he had even written these figures on a slip to underline the “number game” while addressing the rally. His argument was direct. A party contesting just 11 seats cannot be blamed for outcomes across a state where larger parties dominate the electoral field.
Yet, he noted, the allegation continues. According to him, the discomfort is not about numbers but about perception. He remarked that some political players struggle to accept a leader who speaks sharply and refuses to conform, describing his own speech as one that cuts like a sword.
‘Win 270 Seats and Defeat BJP’
Taking the attack further, Owaisi issued a blunt challenge to non-BJP parties. He told them to ignore AIMIM’s 11 seats and instead focus on winning the remaining 270 seats if they truly have the strength. The message was clear. Victory against the BJP cannot come from blame-shifting but from performance on the ground.
He questioned how long certain sections would attempt to block the emergence of leadership from within specific communities. His remarks positioned the criticism of AIMIM as part of a broader resistance to new political voices.
Congress Faces Pressure on History and Strategy
Owaisi’s statement linking Congress to Partition adds a deeper layer to his criticism. By invoking history, he questioned the party’s standing even as it seeks to position itself as a principal challenger to the BJP.
At the same time, his rejection of the ‘B-team’ label placed Congress and its allies on the defensive. If they are contesting nearly every seat, his argument suggests, the responsibility for electoral outcomes rests with them, not with a party contesting a handful of constituencies.
A Message That Resonates Beyond Gujarat
Although the rally was held in Gujarat ahead of the upcoming local body elections, Owaisi’s remarks were clearly aimed at the national political discourse. By combining electoral data with a direct challenge, he sought to reframe the debate around opposition politics.
His message was unambiguous. Stop blaming smaller parties, confront the BJP directly, and take responsibility for victories and defeats alike.
