New Delhi, September 2 (H.S.): AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar joined the Congress on Wednesday, accusing his former party of claiming to oppose the BJP while allegedly targeting opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling party.

Waqar joined the Congress in the presence of AICC in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Rajendra Pal Gautam, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai and AICC Minority Department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi at the AICC office here.

Speaking after his induction, Waqar said his decision was based on his belief that those seeking to defeat the BJP should focus their political efforts on directly challenging it rather than fighting other opposition parties.

He alleged that while the AIMIM speaks of removing the BJP, its political activities on the ground often involve taking on the Congress, Samajwadi Party and other parties opposed to the BJP.

“I felt that if we keep fighting the opposition and do not allow it to blossom, then who are we helping the BJP,” Waqar said.

He said he had therefore decided to join the Congress, asserting that if the objective was genuinely to defeat the BJP, political efforts should be directed towards the ruling party.

Waqar also said the Congress, under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, was raising issues concerning education, employment, students, women and marginalised sections.

Earlier, Gautam said a political movement was underway across the country under Rahul Gandhi's leadership on issues concerning different sections of society. He said leaders from various political parties were joining the Congress and strengthening the organisation under party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

Waqar had been a prominent AIMIM voice in Uttar Pradesh and was considered close to party chief Asaduddin Owaisi. His move to the Congress comes ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, scheduled for early next year.

The Congress and Samajwadi Party are expected to mount a joint challenge to the BJP in the state, while the AIMIM has been seeking to expand its electoral presence in Uttar Pradesh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar