Lucknow, November 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A political controversy has erupted over AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s criticism of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav’s proposed visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with the SP accusing him of targeting opposition parties while avoiding questions to the BJP government.
Addressing a public meeting in Meerut, Owaisi referred to the Babri Masjid, which stood at the site before its demolition in 1992, and said: “Akhilesh is going to the place where we prayed for 400 years.”
The remarks drew a strong response from the Samajwadi Party. Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand accused Owaisi of focusing his political activities on states heading into elections and questioned why he did not hold the ruling BJP accountable.
Chand described Owaisi as a “political tourist” and said he should raise questions with the Uttar Pradesh government rather than repeatedly criticising opposition parties.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also criticised the AIMIM chief, alleging that his party’s electoral presence had benefited the BJP in previous contests. Citing the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Tiwari claimed that while AIMIM won four seats, its presence contributed to the defeat of opposition candidates in 22 to 23 other constituencies. He used the remarks to allege a political understanding between Owaisi and the BJP, though he offered no evidence of a formal alliance.
BJP leaders, meanwhile, dismissed the exchange as an internal contest between opposition parties.
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav described Owaisi as a political negotiator and suggested that his remarks could be linked to unsuccessful efforts to strike a deal with the SP. He asserted that the BJP-led government would retain power in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP leader Ram Kadam said the verbal clash reflected both parties’ efforts to remain politically relevant ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He said the BJP would not comment on their mutual allegations.
The controversy comes amid political positioning ahead of the next Assembly polls, with leaders from different parties using the exchange to target their rivals.
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