Lucknow: Prominent Muslim leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui joined the Samajwadi Party in the presence of party president Akhilesh Yadav. Yadav inducted him at the party office and welcomed him with a garland, a portrait of Ahilyabai, and a memento. Siddiqui’s wife also took party membership.
Siddiqui, a founding member of the BSP and a four time state minister in the Mayawati cabinet, resigned from the Congress on January 24. He said he shares a long association with Akhilesh Yadav and respects his leadership. He urged party workers to act in unity and strengthen the organisation. He said a strong party strengthens the state and society.
After Azam Khan’s imprisonment, the Samajwadi Party lacked a grassroots Muslim leader. Political observers believe Siddiqui’s entry addresses this gap. His experience in Uttar Pradesh politics and his outreach among Muslim voters give the party renewed presence at the ground level.
Several other leaders joined the party. Former MLAs Rajkumar and Dinanath Kushwaha took membership. Former UP minister Anees Ahmed alias Phool Babu and Danish Khan, earlier linked with AIMIM, also joined. Women leaders including Rachna Pal, Husna Siddiqui, Poonam Pal, and Alka enrolled with party workers.
While resigning from the Congress, Siddiqui said he joined the party to fight communalism. He stated he found no meaningful role there in recent years. He expressed respect for Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi. UP Congress president Ajay Rai tried to persuade him to stay. Siddiqui ended speculation about joining other parties by choosing the Samajwadi Party.
