AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has cited Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in the Michigan Senate race in the United States to call for a stronger political identity among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. Reacting to the 2026 US midterm election results, the Hyderabad MP said the victory should inspire people in the state to pursue greater political representation and leadership.
In a post on X, Owaisi said, “An ‘Abdul’ has won in Michigan; now, the ‘Abdul’ of Uttar Pradesh must strengthen his own political identity.” He was referring to Abdul El-Sayed, whose victory made him the first Muslim to win a seat in the US Senate.
Owaisi said the name “Abdul” had often been used mockingly by political opponents, particularly in references associated with the BJP. He argued that the time had come for people carrying the name to establish their own political identity and leadership rather than remain on the sidelines.
Speaking to the media at AIMIM headquarters, Darussalam, in Hyderabad, Owaisi criticised the phrase often used to portray Muslims as economically marginalised. Referring to the remark that “Abdul makes punctures”, he said that Abdul should now become a political leader and should neither fear the RSS nor feel compelled to serve others.
The AIMIM chief also criticised the Centre’s position before the Delhi High Court regarding the century-old Qadeemi Masjid, located within the Krishi Bhawan compound in New Delhi. The government has argued that the mosque must be removed to facilitate redevelopment under the Common Central Secretariat project, part of the Central Vista redevelopment plan.
Owaisi maintained that the mosque was an important part of India’s cultural and historical heritage and existed before Krishi Bhawan was constructed. He said the property was registered as Waqf land and questioned the government’s claim over its ownership.
He argued that if the Centre disputed the mosque’s ownership, the matter should be taken before the Waqf Tribunal for legal consideration. He also questioned the government’s description of the mosque as incompatible with the secular character of government property, asking whether demolishing a registered Waqf property with legal protection was consistent with secular principles.
Owaisi further referred to the inauguration of the Central Vista project, which included a Bhoomi Pooja ceremony. He questioned why religious rituals associated with one faith could be part of a public project while the continued presence of a historic mosque was being challenged.
The MP also criticised the BJP over remarks concerning alleged illegal immigrants in Hyderabad. Asked about Hyderabad District Election Officer R.V. Karnan’s statement that no illegal immigrants had been found in the city’s electoral rolls, Owaisi recalled earlier statements by BJP leaders about conducting surgical strikes in Hyderabad.
He also raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the exercise had caused difficulties for poor residents. Owaisi said AIMIM had assisted eligible voters, irrespective of their religion, during the revision process.
His remarks linked Abdul El-Sayed’s electoral success in the United States with questions of political representation in India, while also renewing criticism of the Centre over the Qadeemi Masjid dispute and voter-list revision.
