Jaleel said if MVA includes MIM in its fold, it will benefit immensely. “If MVA does not include us and if it loses, then it should not lament that they lost because of the presence of a Muslim candidate,” he said.

Jaleel, who lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said in 2019, they had fielded 52 candidates. “Of these, two candidates won and at nine places we were second,” he said.

In case MVA refuses the offer, Jaleel said they will field more than 50 candidates across Maharashtra. “We have good strength in certain areas, especially in Marathwada which will remain our focus. We are ready to fight more than 50 seats if MVA does not include us in its fold,” he said.

Jaleel said they don’t have any unrealistic demands for contesting Assembly seats. ”MVA has to take the call regarding giving us the Assembly seats. We will not put any pressure on them,” he said.

In 2019 elections, MIM had tied up with Prakash Ambedkar-led VBA. However, the tie up did not last long as there were friction over seat-sharing. Both parted ways during the elections itself. Before 2024 Lok Sabha elections, MIM had made overtures to MVA but its leaders refused to discuss the subject.

Jaleel said if MVA is serious about ousting BJP from Maharashtra, then it cannot ignore strength of Muslim voters. “MIM has the prowess to swing voters in favour of MVA. It is MVA which has to take the decision if it is serious about defeating the BJP,” he said.

Jaleel said he has made the offer after discussing it with the party chief Asauddin Oswasi. ”Our party chief has vested all powers regarding Maharashtra with me…We have discussed the issue of joining MVA,” he said.

NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said, ”We have not yet formally received any proposal from AIMIM. When the proposal comes our coordinating committee will deliberate upon it.”