By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Party hopper and former chairman of Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission SMA Kazmi rejoined Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday. Kazmi claimed that he left SP over Kalyan Singh issue and since it is resolved, his rejoining the party was inevitable.
However, his joining function was cut short due to unfavourable questions from media with state chief of SP Akhilesh Yadav intervening and urging the scribes to remain on the topic.
Kazmi also has served as Advocate General of the state between 16 March 2006 to 13 May 2007 during Mulayam Singh’s regime. When Mulayam was ousted from power, Kazmi too switched loyalties and joined Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). He enjoyed the benefits as Chairman of minorities commission from 5 July 2009 to 4 July 2010. However, when BSP denied him second tenure he distanced himself alleging it to be anti-Muslim. He even tried his luck for gaining entry in Congress but failed. Finally he returned to SP singing paeans to Mulayam and swearing his loyalty.
When confronted over the possible reasons for his exit from the SP, Kazmi remarked: “I was pained at the entry of Kalyan Singh in the party. I left the party and when Kalyan Singh is no more associated with SP, I rejoined it.” However, when reminded that he had joined BSP which also had alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the past, Kazmi failed to give convincing reply.
Praising Mulayam, he claimed that SP had bestowed him with so much respect that it was impossible to get the same anywhere. He even claimed that despite being in BSP, his decisions as head of the minority panel were anti-government and for the larger interest of the party.