Senior Samajwadi Party leader and a big name as a Muslim face in UP politics, Azam Khan has come out of jail after 23 months. His release has created a stir not only in Rampur but the political corridors of the whole of Uttar Pradesh. Azam Khan’s political stature and his deep influence in Rampur is well known. Despite being in jail, his political power has not diminished and now his release is a question whether there is going to be a big change in the politics of UP.
After the release of Azam Khan in the politics of Uttar Pradesh, speculation about political equations has intensified. Umashankar Singh, the only BSP MLA and close to Mayawati, has given a big statement to give a big statement to these speculations. Umashankar Singh, MLA from Rasra Assembly of Ballia, said that if senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan joins the BSP, he is welcome. This statement has increased the tension of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, as Khan’s strong base in western Uttar Pradesh can become a challenge for SP.
Speaking to reporters in Ballia on Sunday, BSP MLA Umashankar Singh said, “Every person and worker in the BSP is welcome. If Azam Khan comes to the party, they will be welcome. This will strengthen the BSP and add one vote and we will achieve the goal of forming a government in UP in 2027.” Singh clarified that he was not aware of Azam Khan’s wife Tankeen Fatima about any meeting with the BSP leadership, but if this happens it would be a good sign for the party.
Azam’s political stature:
Azam Khan has been a political axis in not just a leader, but in Rampur and its surrounding districts. At his behest, candidates have been decided in many seats. There has been a situation in Rampur that the SP candidate was announced from his office in Rampur instead of Lucknow. This reflects their political status. He also made his strength realize in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when he got the ticket of ST Hasan from Moradabad and got the ticket to the candidate of his choice. It was clear from this that his decision was final even while in jail.
Speculation of displeasure with SP:
The biggest question after Azam Khan’s release is whether he will live with SP or choose a new path. For some time, such speculation has been in full swing that he is angry with SP leadership, especially Akhilesh Yadav. While in jail, Azam Khan’s family and some close leaders alleged that the SP did not support him as expected. Azam Khan’s wife also said in a statement that she does not expect anyone other than Allah. These statements revealed the distance between SP and Azam Khan.
Apart from this, when Akhilesh Yadav declared Nadvi from Rampur as a candidate in the Lok Sabha elections, Azam Khan and his supporters openly opposed it. The incident further enhanced the sourness between the two.
SP or BSP? Now what will be the whereabouts of Azam Khan?
SP leader Azam Khan, who came out of Sitapur jail after 23 months, has left for Rampur. Meanwhile, speculation is fast whether Azam Khan will now join the BSP. Recently, it was quoted by sources that Azam Khan’s wife had met BSP chief Mayawati in Lucknow.
What will be the next step?
Many options are being told in front of Azam Khan, although he or his family has not yet made any official statement. Staying in SP: Many analysts believe that SP is the safest political base for Azam Khan. His political style and influence is best suited for the SP. The leaders close to him also say that he is the founding member of the SP and will not leave the party. However, if he remains in SP, will he be able to regain his old status? This is a great question.
Join the BSP: Azam Khan’s speculation of going to BSP is also in full swing. Umashankar Singh, the only BSP MLA himself, has given a statement to welcome him to the party. He believes that with the arrival of Azam, the BSP will benefit from the Muslim vote bank and the party will be strong. If Azam Khan goes to the BSP, it will be a big change in the politics of UP and the SP’s Muslim-backward-Dalit alliance may get a big setback. Going to Azad Samaj Party: Chandrashekhar Azad has also met Azam Khan in jail. There is also a discussion in some circles that Azam Khan can form a new political equation with Chandrashekhar.
Akhilesh Yadav’s statement on Azam Khan’s release
Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav said on the release of Azam Khan that we are confident that the court will provide justice to Azam Khan. He also hoped that in the coming days, the BJP would not file any other false case against Azam Khan.
Impact on Rampur politics
Azam Khan has been the focal point of the politics of Rampur. Even after he went to jail, even though the Samajwadi Party occupied Rampur, the political equations there changed to a great extent. Many new faces emerged in his absence and tried to establish his impact on Rampur. In the Lok Sabha elections too, it was clear from the election of Rampur MP Mohibullah Nadvi that Azam Khan’s grip has weakened, but now his return is likely to change the situation.
Azam Khan is mostly close to the SP organization in Rampur. Therefore, now that he is back, his supporters will have new energy. It is almost certain that the influence of Mohibullah Nadvi may be reduced and Azam Khan’s dominance may increase again. His return is expected to strengthen SP’s position in Rampur and surrounding districts, especially between Muslim vote bank.
Political scenario will change
This development is making Uttar Pradesh politics more interesting before the 2027 assembly elections. If Azam Khan really joins the BSP, the Muslim-Dalit alliance in western Uttar Pradesh may be stronger, which can cause problems for both SP and BJP. Currently, everyone’s eyes are on the release of Azam Khan and his next step. Will it be a new chapter of BSP or SP’s solidarity test? This will only tell the time to come.
Relationship with Akhilesh Yadav
The biggest question after Azam Khan’s release is how his chemistry will be with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Azam Khan was in jail for the last 23 months, but during this time Akhilesh Yadav went to meet him only once or two. There was no major effort from the party for his release, which led to resentment among Azam Khan and his supporters.
However, Azam Khan is considered the founding member of the SP, and he has made it clear many times that he will not leave the party. But the way Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad met him in jail, there has also been speculation that he can choose another path. However, this possibility is considered to be quite low.
Azam Khan is known for his pressure politics. It will be interesting to see what strategy he adopts to regain his old status in the party. His return will give SP a strong Muslim face, which may be beneficial for the party in the coming elections.
