The BRICS TimesSenior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan walked out of prison on Tuesday after 23 months and headed directly to Rampur. His son Abdullah Azam and Adeel Azam accompanied him during the release.
Azam Khan Walks Free After 23 Months
Samajwadi Party heavyweight and former cabinet minister Azam Khan finally stepped out of Sitapur jail after nearly two years on Tuesday and reached Rampur. His release brought celebrations among local SP workers, who distributed sweets, yet the absence of senior party leaders quickly stirred political debates. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav thanked the court for granting justice to Khan and promised that all cases against him would be withdrawn if SP formed the government. However, Azam’s silence and faint smile on Akhilesh’s assurance fueled further questions about the current party dynamics.
Only a Few Faces at the Welcome
When Khan was released, only Moradabad MP Ruchi Veera and some local leaders came to greet him. During his 2022 release, former minister Shivpal Yadav had appeared outside the jail. This time, the absence of any top SP figure became a matter of hot discussion. In his signature sarcastic tone, Khan quipped, “If I were a big leader, then a big leader would have surely come to meet me.” His remark triggered speculation of unease inside the SP organization.
Akhilesh’s Assurance, Azam’s Silence
While addressing an event in Hazratganj, Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav said, “We thank the court for ensuring justice to Azam Khan. The BJP filed false cases against him. Once SP forms the government, all cases will be withdrawn, just like the Yogi government withdrew cases against its own leaders.” He further promised to withdraw cases filed against journalists. Yet when reporters asked Azam about these remarks, he simply smiled and avoided giving any response. His reaction indicated underlying discomfort within the party structure.
Strategy or Compulsion for SP?
A senior SP leader, on the condition of anonymity, claimed that BJP wanted to use Khan’s issue for religious polarization. To counter this, SP leaders decided to remain cautious. Akhilesh’s move to build a grand temple in Etawah and his adoption of Ram Manohar Lohia’s “Hindu versus Hindu” philosophy are seen as part of the party’s soft Hindutva strategy. This could explain why senior SP leaders avoided meeting Khan after his release. One leader remarked, “No one knows Azam Khan’s mood. He can say anything anytime, so without approval, no senior leader went to him.”
Azam on BSP Speculations
Addressing rumors about his possible entry into BSP, Khan said, “I cannot say anything right now. Those making assumptions can answer that. In the last five years, I had no contact with anyone due to imprisonment.” Talking about his health, he added, “First, I will undergo treatment and focus on recovery.”
BJP Accused of Discrimination
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of caste-based bias. He said, “In Gorakhpur, posts and contracts are being given to a single caste. We hope the court will find a way to end caste discrimination so that no temple or home needs cleansing with Ganga water.” He also complained that SP vehicles were fined for carrying party flags, which he claimed was evidence of government pressure. On social media, Akhilesh posted, “We thank the court for keeping faith in justice. False cases have a limit. The BJP never favors those who symbolize social harmony.”
Political Speculation Intensifies
Khan’s release, combined with SP leaders’ visible distance, has set off a wave of political speculation. Is this a deliberate strategy by the SP, or are internal differences widening? Will Azam Khan’s next step become a new challenge for the party? These unanswered questions are expected to keep Uttar Pradesh politics heated in the coming days.
Akshay Didwaniya
