UP Polls: Asaduddin Owaisi, Chandrashekhar Azad launch Samajik Parivartan Morcha to take on BJP; Azad named CM face

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram president Chandrashekhar Azad on Thursday announced the formation of the Samajik Parivartan Morcha ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, with Azad named as the alliance's chief ministerial candidate.

The two leaders said the front aims to bring marginalised communities together and prevent the BJP from returning to power in the state for a third consecutive term.

The alliance brings two parties with different voter bases together: Azad Samaj Party, which focuses on Dalit and backward communities, and AIMIM, which mainly represents Muslim voters.


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"We have decided to form 'Samajik Parivartan Morcha'. I can say with confidence this will be a strong Morcha to stop the BJP from coming to power in UP for the third time," Owaisi said while addressing the media alongside Azad.

Owaisi also announced Azad as the alliance's chief ministerial face, saying the two parties would work together to implement their proposed changes in Uttar Pradesh.

"On behalf of our party, I would like to state that we are committed to making this 'Samajik Parivartan Morcha' a success. It gives me great pleasure to announce that our brother, Chandrashekhar Azad, will be the Chief Ministerial candidate for the 'Samajik Parivartan Morcha' in Uttar Pradesh. We will all work together to ensure the success of this alliance—a success that will ultimately be the success of the people of Uttar Pradesh. Once Chandrashekhar Azad becomes the Chief Minister, we will be able to implement the changes we envision," he said.

'Not a third front, but a front for social change'

Owaisi's ally Azad said the alliance was not being formed merely as another political alternative but as a platform for communities that continue to face social and economic disadvantages.

"This is not a 'Third Front', but a front for social change. It is strong, and it will grow even stronger. As more people from the marginalized, deprived, oppressed, exploited, and downtrodden sections join, this front will become an even more formidable force for those who are oppressed, helpless, and exploited...."

Azad also questioned why successive governments had failed to improve the conditions of marginalised communities despite promises of empowerment.

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"They promised to eradicate our poverty and helplessness, and to put an end to the oppression, caste-based violence, and atrocities inflicted upon us. But it turned out to be a deception—those who spoke of uplifting us, of bringing us into the mainstream, went on to become MLAs, MPs,Chief Ministers, and even Prime Ministers. Yet, this marginalised community remains exactly where it has always been. The truth is that governments kept changing, announcements kept being made, and even today, the Bahujan community remains deprived of basic amenities..."

Alliance eyes a wider electoral footprint

The announcement follows discussions between the two parties over an alliance and its electoral strategy. According to an earlier ET Bureau report, the proposed front was looking at contesting more than 200 assembly seats, with a focus on constituencies where Dalit and Muslim voters have a significant presence.

AIMIM was likely to contest around 40-50 seats, while the Azad Samaj Party could field candidates in approximately 150 constituencies. The parties were also exploring the possibility of bringing smaller political outfits into the alliance.

Uttar Pradesh has an estimated 21% Dalit and 19% Muslim population, making the two communities important to the state's electoral calculations.

Azad's party has already announced candidates for 87 assembly constituencies, with its lists reflecting an emphasis on social representation. These include 38 candidates from Scheduled Castes, 29 from OBC communities, 19 Muslims and one Sikh.

Can the new front change UP's electoral arithmetic?

The alliance comes at a time when the BSP, which traditionally commanded a substantial Dalit support base in Uttar Pradesh, has seen a decline in electoral strength. This has opened up political space for Azad's party, which is seeking to expand its presence among Dalit voters.

However, translating that space into votes will be a challenge.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Muslim voters largely consolidated behind the SP-Congress alliance, while a large section of Dalit voters also shifted towards the Opposition, contributing to the BJP's electoral setbacks.

The new front could complicate the electoral calculations of the SP-Congress combine, particularly in constituencies where Dalit and Muslim voters form a substantial share of the electorate.