NEW DELHI: Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, expressed apparent willingness to tie up with the INDIA bloc, particularly with Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, to take on the ruling

BJP

in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.During a rally in Moradabad, the Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP said he was ready to "join hands" or "form an alliance" with the Samajwadi Party, which would be cautious about the offer as both parties reach out to the same voter base in the 403-seat Assembly.Brushing off the BJP's "B-team" tag, Owaisi said he does not want the BJP to continue in power for a third straight term in the state, provided the Samajwadi Party ties up with the AIMIM to avoid a split in votes.

However, an alliance with the AIMIM would be a critical call for the Samajwadi Party as it could further consolidate Owaisi's party in the electorally crucial state."I have said this before, and I am saying it again: the Majlis does not want the BJP to form the government again in Uttar Pradesh. I am ready to join hands. I am ready to form an alliance. Today is the time to talk. Don't cry later after the elections are over. We don't want the BJP to come to power again.

You say that Owaisi contesting would harm us. I'm ready to fight alongside you," Owaisi said at a rally in Moradabad.Owaisi said the AIMIM's fight was "never against any religion, nor will it ever be. Our fight is for our honour. Our fight is a fight for justice. Now we don't want to sit on a mat. Now we want equality.""If Akhilesh sits in front of that chair, then Owaisi will sit cross-legged in front of that chair and talk about rights and justice," he further said.