MEERUT, Oct. 19 -- AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi targeted Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav over the party's record on Muslim representation and development, calling for independent Muslim leadership ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

"We will not make any Nehru, Gandhi, or Yadav our leader. These young sons and daughters will stand at our forefront," Owaisi said during a public meeting in Rampur on Sunday, asserting that Muslim youth had the talent to lead but lacked opportunities.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief accused established political parties of resisting the emergence of independent Muslim leaders.

"The trouble is that Abdul will not be allowed to become a leader," he said,...