States » NorthPosted at: Oct 22 2026 9:36PM


Meeting Azam Khan not a political matter, but an emotional one, says SP Chief

Rampur, Oct 22 (UNI) Boosting his Muslim connect and ties with Azam Khan, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met jailed party leader Mohammad Azam Khan in Rampur jail, with just a few months to go for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
After this meeting for around a hour, the former chief minister however played down the electoral angle telling mediapersons, "meeting Azam Khan is not a political matter, but an emotional one. He is close to our hearts."
Akhilesh Yadav statement is considered significant in light of the relationship between the two leaders and in the context of the ensuing assembly polls in the state. Azam Khan was one of the founding leaders of the Samajwadi Party and played a key role in the politics of Rampur and western Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, Akhilesh Yadav's meeting with him in jail is being seen by political observers in the context of relations within the party as well.
Taking a swipe at the ruling BJP, Yadav remarked that, "Azam was there, Azam is there and Azam will remain there. No family, especially a political family, has suffered as much injustice as Azam Khan's family has."
His meeting with Azam Khan is incidentally for the third time this year. Akhilesh Yadav alleged that false cases have been filed against Azam Khan. These false cases have resulted in him spending years in jail. Yadav quipped that "false cases do not have the power to imprison the truth forever". He acknowledged that it may take some time or delay, but he believes that false allegations cannot imprison the truth.
During the meeting, Azam Khan's health and condition were discussed. Akhilesh Yadav again cited his personal connection with Azam Khan, calling the meeting an emotional one.
He also said that this is not his first visit to Rampur. He also spoke about his political and emotional connection with Rampur.
Targeting the BJP govt over Jauhar University, he said the ruling party has no concern for education or knowledge. They don't even care about universities. The university has been completely destroyed. The conspiracies hatched to destroy it are such that perhaps no government, not even a dictatorship, has wreaked such havoc on the education sector.
The visit comes after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had shown his sympathy towards Azam Khan during a rally in Bareilly and had accused SP of ignoring the family .
Akhilesh Yadav arrived in Rampur around 1:30 pm on Thursday. His helicopter landed at the helipad at Jauhar University. From there, he drove directly to the jail. Azam Khan's eldest son, Adeeb, was also in the car with him but he did not enter the jail.
Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam are currently in Rampur jail in connection with the PAN card case. The MP-MLA Special Court sentenced both to seven years in prison in this case. Azam Khan has appealed to the High Court. UNI MBD CDS
Tags: #Meeting Azam Khan not a political matter# but an emotional one# says SP Chief
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