The absence of Azam Khan from the electoral arena has left the Samajwadi Party (SP) facing challenges in Rampur, once considered their stronghold in Lok Sabha polls.
In Azam’s stead, the SP has nominated Mohibullah Nadvi, a cleric from a mosque located on Delhi’s Parliament Street, to contest from the constituency. However, confusion arose when Asim Raja, Khan’s close aide, also filed nomination papers as an SP candidate. Raja’s candidacy was later rejected during scrutiny, leaving Nadvi as the sole contender from the party.
Rampur, historically a bastion of the SP, has faced criticism from the BJP, accusing Khan of hindering progress and fostering an “era of injustice” in the region. In the previous bypoll, the BJP emerged victorious, and they have nominated Ghanshayam Lodhi again for the upcoming elections.
With Khan incarcerated, the local SP unit had initially urged party president Akhilesh Yadav to contest from Rampur. Despite speculation surrounding Yadav’s potential candidacy, he did not enter the fray.
District SP president Ajay Sagar expressed disappointment over the absence of Khan or any family member in the electoral race, emphasizing the party’s determination to ensure victory for their chosen candidate.
Sagar also alleged that Muslim voters in the district have faced intimidation from the administration in recent years, underscoring the need for a stalwart like Yadav to intervene.
While campaigning, Nadvi has referred to Azam Khan as his “elder brother” and appealed to voters to support him for Khan’s eventual release from jail.
Azam Khan, a ten-time MLA from Rampur Sadar seat and one-time MP from Rampur Lok Sabha constituency, vacated his parliamentary seat in 2022 after being elected as an MLA. His elder son, Adeeb Azam, has refrained from politics.
Rampur, comprising five assembly constituencies, will cast its votes in the first phase of polling on April 19, marking a crucial juncture in the electoral landscape of the region.
