Agra : Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Wednesday justified party leader Azam Khan’s recent controversial statement which invited the wrath of the Election Commission.
Mulayam Singh said the Election Commission was acting arbitrarily, “imposing restrictions on our leaders”.
“Azam Khan said nothing that was wrong or not based on facts. As a matter of fact, Muslims have always made sacrifices for the country,” he said addressing an election meeting in Agra Cantonment area.
Last week, Azam Khan, a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government, had pointed out to the contribution of Muslim soldiers in the Kargil war, a statement that had invited a backlash from all sections of the society.
Mulayam Singh said the poll panel has not shown neutrality but was being a “little too harsh” on the Samajwadi Party.
He also said he was pointlessly being blamed for his statements on women.
“We have as a party always stood for the rights and empowerment of women.”
A few days ago, Mulayam Singh had opposed death penalty for rapists and his remark “boys will be boys” had angered women’s organisations all over India.