Moradabad. Before the elections, the battle between Azam and Akhilesh is now taking a new form. The factions in the party are crossing the limits. Only two days have passed since the results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared. A verbal war has emerged between two MPs over party general secretary Azam Khan. If this had been discussed in the party forum, it would have been fine. 

The statements have been made publicly. Rampur's newly elected MP Mohibullah Nadvi said that he (Azam Khan) is in a correctional home and needs prayers. While Moradabad MP Ruchi Veera said that she had gone to meet Azam and called Mohibullah immature. 

Though this may be the personal opinion of the two stalwarts, but in political circles it is being considered as the reason for dominance due to the ongoing factionalism in SP, which is likely to get more intense in future.

In Rampur, SP means Azam

Actually, Rampur has been a strong political fortress of Azam Khan. He himself was an MLA and MP for a long time, he has also sent his son and close ones to the Lucknow assembly. He also made his wife a Rajya Sabha member. In Rampur, Azam Khan is considered to be the meaning of SP. 

After 2019, Durg started weakening after a series of cases were filed against him. The situation was such that in this Lok Sabha election, contrary to his wishes, the top leadership of SP made Mohibullah the SP candidate and despite the opposition of Azam camp, he was made to win with record votes. 

Since the Nawab family and the Azam family were not directly involved in this election, it was already believed that the winner would be the new leader who would add edge to Rampur politics. Mohibullah Nadvi's statement that Azam is in a reformatory home is being considered a step in this direction. 

He won in Rampur despite opposition from Azam's camp. The Muslim voters of Rampur who once supported Azam Khan are now with Mohibullah. It is believed that this is part of his strategy to establish his separate identity and maintain his supremacy, because the SP district president, two state secretaries and MLAs had also opposed the party at the behest of Azam Khan and had even announced to boycott the elections. 

Side effect in Moradabad politics

Here, Ruchi Veera has made it clear that she stands with Azam Khan by calling the elected MP of Rampur immature. She got the ticket only due to Azam Khan's lobbying. She needs this support to maintain a strong hold in the party, but this can have side effects in Moradabad politics, because the outgoing MP Dr. ST Hasan considers Azam Khan to be the reason for his ticket being cut. 

He did not oppose Ruchi Veera in the election, but did not support her either. He remained at home during the entire campaign. Apart from this, a lobby of Muslim leaders active in Moradabad and nearby districts secretly wants to dominate the party instead of Azam. They also tried their best to get ST Hasan the ticket. In such a situation, this lobby can create obstacles in the path of Ruchi Veera.

This is what the MPs said

Azam Khan is in a correctional home. He needs prayers. My victory is the victory of the people. I will try to live up to their expectations.

Mohibullah Nadvi, MP, Rampur (spoke to reporters on June 4)

The MP (Mohibullah) is not a political person, I don't know how he got the ticket and won the election. He is making statements about Azam Khan. He is an immature leader. He (Mohibullah) should not forget that he won the election because of the party and Azam Khan has made a big contribution to the party. I will soon go to meet him in jail.

- Ruchi Vira, MP, Moradabad (spoke to reporters on June 5)

Azam Khan is a senior leader of the party. The Rampur MP should not have made such a comment about him. The top leadership has also spoken to him about this.

- Shyam Lal Pal, State President, Samajwadi Party