Owaisi Urges Muslims in India's Uttar Pradesh to Strengthen Political Identity After El-Sayed's Historic Victory

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has urged Muslims in India's Uttar Pradesh to strengthen their political identity, citing Abdul El-Sayed's historic victory in the US Senate election in Michigan.

Welcoming El-Sayed's election as the first Muslim member of the US Senate, Owaisi said the result carried an important message for Muslims in India, particularly those in Uttar Pradesh, whose political identity is often subjected to ridicule.

"An Abdul has won in Michigan. Now it is time for the Abdul in Uttar Pradesh to strengthen his political identity," Owaisi said.

In a post on X, he repeated the statement and added in Hindi that attempts had been made by the Sangh to turn the name 'Abdul' into an object of mockery.

He wrote that it was time to demonstrate that Abdul bows before no one except Allah and that Muslims would no longer lay out their prayer mats before anyone else.

Owaisi's remarks were directed at the prevailing electoral politics in Uttar Pradesh. He has alleged that Muslim minorities are frequently approached for their votes during elections but are not given adequate political representation in return.

Uttar Pradesh is expected to hold assembly elections in the coming months. Muslims account for approximately one-fifth of the state's total electorate.

The name 'Abdul' is frequently used in political discussions and on social media as a term of mockery targeting members of the Muslim community in the state.

Owaisi's party has long criticised both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regional opposition parties such as the Samajwadi Party.

The AIMIM has accused the BJP of targeting Muslims, while alleging that opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, treat the Muslim community primarily as a vote bank without ensuring adequate political representation.

Owaisi made the remarks just hours after US television networks reported the victory of 42-year-old Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate election.

According to NDTV, which reported the comments on Wednesday, Owaisi welcomed the outcome and used it to highlight the importance of political representation for Muslims in India.