By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: There is no doubt that Samajwadi Party leader Mohd Azam Khan plays a larger-than-life role in Muslim politics of Uttar Pradesh.
Is BJP scared of Mohd Azam Khan in forthcoming assembly polls in 2027? And is that why the saffron brigade will be more comfortable if he continues to stay in jail?
Mohd Azam Khan himself said he became a victim of alleged conspiracy; he claimed this was why so many cases were lodged against him and he was being harassed for political reasons.
Samajwadi Party also blamed BJP and the CM Yogi Adityanath-led state government for creating conditions that would continue to keep Mohd Azam Khan in jail.
It would be worth mentioning here that more than 100 cases have been lodged against Mohd Azam Khan, including 94 cases alone in his home district Rampur. Cases were also filed against family members, including wife Tanzeen Fatima and son Abdullah. They were also jailed, but subsequently released.
Recently, Mohd Azam Khan got relief from various courts in several cases and he got bail. Last bail he got on September 18. When it so appeared that he would be released after spending 23 months fighting cases in various courts, the local administration of Rampur revived an old case to make things worse for Khan.
There is no doubt after coming out of prison, Azam Khan could create problems for BJP, in Rampur in particular, and western UP in general.
It was only when Mohd Azam Khan went to jail that BJP won the Lok Sabha as well as Assembly seats from that zone. During last three decades, Mohd Azam Khan virtually ruled over Rampur and neighbouring districts, deciding the fate of candidates in the elections. So much so, he also played an important role in deciding the candidates for Samajwadi Party.
Mohd Azam Khan had been a prominent and powerful minister with Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1989 then again in 2003 to 2007 and finally with Akhilesh Yadav from 2012 to 2017.He was also a Member of Parliament. His wife Tazeen Fatima was also elected to Rajya Sabha and UP Assembly. His son Abdullah was also elected to UP Assembly.
Mohd Azam Khan was also a founder member of the Samajwadi Party with Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1992 and known as a gifted orator inside assembly and outside as well. His meetings drew huge crowds, underscoring for his success as a Muslim leader.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has recently said that people of state should vote Samajwadi Party to ensure release of Mohd Azam Khan. He maintains touch with Mohd Azam Khan and his family.
BJP as well as the opposition parties are watching the entire episode involving Mohd Azam Khan with great interest.
Samajwadi Party and Congress combine expects that the release of Mohd Azam Khan will further help in mobilising Muslim votes for the alliance in assembly elections. During last Lok Sabha polls, Samajwadi Party got 37 seats, as well as a good number of Muslim votes in Western UP.
Significantly, Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Ravan has also met Mohd Azam Khan in jail. Another claimant of Muslim votes, the BSP, is also looking towards Mohd Azam Khan.
It would be interesting to see as to how Mohd Azam Khan conducts himself in politics, especially for Samajwadi Party which gave him prominence and was also instrumental in sending his wife to Rajya Sabha and son to UP Assembly. These family members were also convicted in different cases but released on bail; so, it would be difficult for them also contest elections. (IPA Service)
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