By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Lucknow: Entry of expelled Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan into partyfold appears imminent with party leaders gearing up for the moment. The final decision now rests with the SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav who is also reported to be inclined towards readmitting his old friend and colleague in party fold.
However, Azam Khan still remained adamant denying any such move on his part. “I am yet to make up my mind for rejoining the party. It still has not been decided and presently I am not part of the SP which is a fact,” said Azam Khan while talking to TwoCircles.net over phone from Rampur.
On the other hand, sources in the party confided that the deal has been struck and only announcement is left. “Earlier it was proposed to break the news during the recently held national executive meeting of the party in Kolkata but things have been deferred,” said a senior party functionary in Lucknow. It is reported that Mulayam has personally discussed the idea with senior party leaders during the meet in Kolkata and received favourable response.
Several Muslim leaders too are now working overtime for the entry of Azam Khan to preserve the eroding Muslim support of the party. Talks and deliberations have been held with Azam Khan and his associates in Rampur at various levels. State party chief Akhilesh Yadav is monitoring the developments and is believed to have coerced the party think tank and yadav brigade for the re-entry of the party. Commenting on it Akhilesh stated: “We will take any step for the betterment of the party. We can concede within the ideals and principles of the party. Several leaders who were with us are welcome to join us.”
However, the Rampur’s Khan seems in no mood to relent. Realising in the changing political scene his services will be useful for the party, he too has adopted ‘wait and watch’ policy. “Nothing has been decided yet and the chances of my rejoining the party are ruled out at this moment,” he said. Azam even went to the extent of exercising his franchise in the Vidhan Parishad polls as per requirements. “If there is any need for my vote I will decide at a later stage. I am an expelled member of the party and I have all the records to substantiate it so my vote will be decided as per circumstances,” he said.
Earlier, Azam Khan once a close aide of Mulayam strained his relations during the past Lok Sabha polls over the election of Jaya Prada from Rampur constituency on SP ticket. Mulayam too sided with Jaya and Amar Singh thus widening the rift. Later he was shown the door citing the short-lived bonhomie of Yadav satrap with erstwhile BJP leader Kalyan Singh as the main reason. However with things taking full circle and Kalyan Singh, Jaya Prada and Amar Singh no more in the scene, it is being speculated that Azam will return to his parent party sooner.