Azam Khan has been a prominent leader of the Samajwadi Party. He has had a strong influence on Muslim votes in Uttar Pradesh. In the 2012 Samajwadi Party government, his influence is said to be more than Akhilesh Yadav (then Chief Minister). However, now Azam Khan’s political career surrounded by allegations of property grab, fraud and corruption is in danger. He has got bail after almost two years, but whether his political career will move forward, it is a serious question. There are reports that 12 days later, on 8 October, he will meet Akhilesh Yadav. The interesting thing is that the next day, on 9 October, Mayawati, who is said to have recently tilted with Azam Khan, is about to hold a rally. Let us understand how the political tornado will roam around Azam Khan. How much does Samajwadi Party need Azam Khan now?
Akhilesh Yadav will leave for Bareilly from Akhilesh Yadav Amausi Airport at 10 am on 8 October. After that, he will go directly to Rampur by road. Here he planned a meeting of about an hour with Azam Khan. Akhilesh will meet Azam Khan, who was released from jail after 16 days on 22 September. Questions are arising that Akhilesh is spending so much time to meet Azam Khan, who is once considered a big leader of Samajwadi Party.
It is being said that Akhilesh Yadav chose the date of October 8 to meet Azam Khan because the next day i.e. on October 9, BSP is going to hold a rally on the death anniversary of Kanshi Ram. It is learned that Azam Khan’s wife has met Mayawati. Therefore, Akhilesh is meeting Azam Khan at the moment so that Azam Khan does not include the BSP. Because Akhilesh would never want Mayawati and Azam Khan, who are struggling for their political existence, to form an alliance. Azam stay in SP, as he is.
For those interested in Uttar Pradesh politics, Akhilesh Yadav’s apathy towards Azam Khan is not new. Azam Khan has often been mentioned in sarcastic accents. However, it is also true that when he was asked about the BSP, he said, “I can be stupid, but not so big.”
The Samajwadi Party has pushed Azam Khan to the margins and the BSP is facing a similar situation in Uttar Pradesh politics. However, Bhima Army and AIMIM, who want to set foot in the country’s largest state, are looking at Azam Khan as a possible weapon. But the question is that Azam, who was once considered invincible in Rampur and Moradabad, has now weakened. His credibility has been shocked due to many cases, health problems and weakening grip on their constituency. For whom will he be more useful?
In many criminal cases jailed and disqualified from contesting elections
More than 100 criminal cases are pending against Azam Khan. In 2023, he was sentenced to seven years in jail in the fake birth certificate case, and in 2024, he was sentenced to ten years in jail for forcibly evacuating a house in Dungarpur Colony in Rampur. These punishment make them disqualified from contesting elections for six years under the Representation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Obviously, the danger of prison punishment will always be with them. The court cannot expect much rhetoric in politics from a person released on parole and bail. So far, he has been convicted in a total of 10 cases. His court will continue to appear in dozens and cases. In such a situation, it is just an illusion to expect them to do anything positive for any political party.
Samajwadi Party strong even without Azam Khan
SP’s Asim Raja lost in the 2022 Rampur Lok Sabha by -election and BJP’s Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi snatched the seat from Azam Khan. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party gave ticket to Azam Khan’s rival Mohibullah and won. That is, the Samajwadi Party has shown that Azam Khan’s home area Rampur can be won without his help. A handle on X writes that Azam’s release will create political upheaval, but his punishment has weakened him in his home state Rampur.
After Mulayam Singh Yadav’s death (2022), Akhilesh Yadav has become the only SP leader of SP. Akhilesh has abolished the role of Muslim leaders by adopting PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) formula. Akhilesh Yadav himself has emerged as the most prominent Muslim leader of Uttar Pradesh. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, SP won 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Despite Azam’s absence, the Samajwadi Party won in Rampur and Moradabad. However, Ruchivira received a ticket on Azam Khan’s recommendation from Moradabad. Akhilesh Yadav has become so strong in the Muslim community today that he no longer needs Azam Khan. However, Akhilesh Yadav does not want to play with the sentiments of his Muslim supporters by ignoring leaders like Azam Khan. This is the reason why Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle Shivpal Yadav sought support from Azam Khan. Now, Akhilesh himself is going to Rampur to meet Azam on 8 October.
Muslim votes are united in favor of anti -BJP parties like SP and Congress.
With the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh and the politics of hardcore Hindutva of Yogi Adityanath, the Muslim vote in Uttar Pradesh is no longer a monopoly of any one leader. Asaduddin Owaisi’s party has also lost the trust of Muslims. Muslims want to vote for someone who can beat the BJP. Of course, Muslims in Indian politics are in the race for Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly elections of 2027. This is likely to remain the feelings of voters.
That is why if leaders like Azam Khan do not think of Muslim voters, they will also have to face defeat. This simply means that if Azam Khan supports a party that can beat the BJP, then Muslims will support them, otherwise they will not get support. This polarization of Muslim voters has been clearly seen in the last few elections.
Muslim voters are now leaving the “votecutwa” parties and are increasing confidence in BJP’s staunch opponents like SP and Congress. In Bihar’s Seemanchal Pradesh (Kishanganj, Katihar), Muslim votes (40-50%) first supported AIMIM, but Owaisi’s defeat in 2024 shows that Muslim voters are no longer affected by Muslim leaders.
Health problems obstruct political participation
Azam Khan (77) ‘long prison sentence has made a serious impact on his health. Heart disease, kidney infection and age related problems have weakened them. After release on September 23, 2025, doctors advised him to rest and stopped participating in rallies, public meetings or active publicity. Azam’s sharp speech style had earlier united Muslim and Yadav voters.
