Upset with Akhilesh Yadav, Azam Khan may quit Samajwadi Party, float his own party

According to sources, Azam Khan has been upset over the fact that Akhilesh did not visit him in Sitapur jail-except once - where he is lodged since February 2020.

Lucknow: Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) may soon face another major jolt as speculations about senior party leader Mohd Azam Khan leaving the party and, possibly, forming his own party, have been gathering steam.

Azam Khan`s media in-charge Fasahat Khan Shanu said, "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was right when he said that Akhilesh does not want Azam Khan to be out of jail."

Fasahat made the remark at a meeting of Khan`s supporters at the party office in Rampur, late on Sunday night. According to sources, Azam Khan has been upset over the fact that Akhilesh did not visit him in Sitapur jail-except once - where he is lodged since February 2020.

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia (PSP-L) chief Shivpal Yadav`s rift with Akhilesh and his possible shift to the ruling BJP has strengthened reports about Azam Khan also quitting SP. Azam Khan fought the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and won the Rampur seat for the 10th time from behind the bars in Sitapur jail.

Fasahat said, "On the indication of Azam Khan, the Muslims not only in Rampur but also in several districts voted for the SP. But the SP national president did not take the side of Muslims. Azam Khan is in jail for more than two years, but the SP president only went to meet him in jail once. Not just this, Muslims are not being given importance in the party."