Owaisi told NDTV that he wants the Chief Minister to abandon Ayodhya and fight from Sambhal while Akhilesh Yadav should take up Gorakhpur, citing a desire to confront the rivals in their comfort zones. He added that AIMIM will beat both leaders in those seats, a bold assertion that follows Yogi’s earlier challenge to Akhilesh to contest from Ayodhya.
The former statement comes after Owaisi dismissed the BJP’s so‑called "80‑20" narrative, insisting the real contest would be a "99 versus 1" struggle between the poor and the wealthy elite. He said the 99% of Uttar Pradesh’s citizens would dominate the electoral outcome, a claim he repeats in public rallies.
Owaisi has previously offered an alliance with the Samajwadi Party to prevent a third BJP term in Uttar Pradesh. He stressed that AIMIM will run independently but will seek strategic partnerships where needed, a stance that has drawn both support and criticism from local party leaders.
The state’s elections are slated for early next year, with the political climate already heating up as parties finalize candidate lists and debate campaign strategies. Owaisi’s provocative proposals are expected to influence the final lineup and could reshape voter expectations in the key districts of Sambhal and Gorakhpur.