All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi has ruled out any possibility of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party after his party’s showing in Maharashtra municipal elections, declaring that ideological distance makes cooperation impossible. Speaking on Tuesday, Owaisi used a maritime metaphor to underline the point, saying the two sides were like shores that could never meet.The statement followed a series of local-body contests in Maharashtra in which the AIMIM consolidated pockets of support, particularly in urban centres with sizeable minority populations. The results have prompted speculation about shifting political equations ahead of larger electoral battles, speculation Owaisi moved swiftly to dispel by asserting that his party’s political compass runs counter to that of the BJP.
Asaduddin Owaisi, who leads the Hyderabad-based party, said the AIMIM’s politics were rooted in constitutional values, social justice and minority rights, principles he argued were fundamentally at odds with the BJP’s ideological orientation. “The two shores of the sea can never meet,” he said, reiterating that electoral arithmetic would not override what he described as non-negotiable differences.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has, over the past decade, expanded beyond its traditional base in Telangana, contesting elections in Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Maharashtra’s municipal contests, the party secured representation in several councils, strengthening its organisational footprint and reinforcing its claim to be a durable player rather than a spoiler. Party leaders have framed the gains as validation of a strategy focused on grassroots mobilisation, welfare advocacy and local leadership cultivation.
Owaisi’s remarks were also aimed at countering a recurring narrative that regional or minority-focused parties could eventually be drawn into tactical arrangements with the BJP to secure power or resources. By ruling out any alignment, he sought to reassure supporters wary of ideological compromise and to position the AIMIM as an unequivocal opponent of the ruling party at the Centre.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has dominated national politics for over a decade, remains a polarising force in Maharashtra as well. While it continues to command a substantial vote share, municipal elections have highlighted the fragmented nature of urban politics, with regional parties, independents and smaller outfits carving out influence. Analysts note that local issues such as civic services, housing and employment often dilute the impact of national narratives in these contests.
Within Maharashtra, the AIMIM’s growth has been most visible in cities like Aurangabad, officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and in parts of the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. Party officials attribute this to targeted campaigning on municipal governance, education and health, coupled with a rhetoric that blends identity politics with demands for equitable development. Critics, however, argue that the party’s presence can split opposition votes, indirectly benefiting the BJP, a charge Owaisi has repeatedly rejected.
He has countered that argument by pointing to instances where the AIMIM has defeated BJP candidates directly or has emerged as the principal challenger in closely fought wards. According to him, framing the party as a vote-splitter ignores voter agency and oversimplifies complex local dynamics. “People vote for us because they believe in what we stand for,” he has said on earlier occasions, emphasising autonomy rather than alignment.
The firm stance against cooperation with the BJP also reflects the AIMIM’s broader national positioning. Owaisi has been vocal in Parliament and outside on issues ranging from citizenship laws to minority representation, often clashing with BJP leaders. Those confrontations have cemented his image as a combative critic of the ruling party, an image that resonates with supporters but invites sharp rebuttal from opponents.