In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Rampur, once ruled politically and emotionally by Azam Khan, now tells a story of betrayal, political isolation, and legal misery. A founding member of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and a towering figure in Muslim politics, Azam Khan's journey from a ten-time MLA to a jailed politician with over 89 criminal cases has left both his followers and critics stunned.

Khan, 76, has been behind bars since October 2023, following convictions starting from 2022. His wife, Tazeen Fatima, herself a seasoned politician and former MP, summed up the family’s despair after a recent jail visit by stating, "Humein kisi se bhi nahi umeed hai… agar umeed hai to sirf Allah se." This emotional remark has struck a chord with many, signaling the growing divide between Khan and the SP leadership, especially under Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav’s Tepid Response and SP's Symbolic Support

In response to Tazeen’s grief-laden statement, SP president Akhilesh Yadav made a helpless admission: “Hum kis se kahen?” He pointed to three paths for Khan’s redemption — judicial relief, divine intervention, or a change in government in 2027. However sincere his tone, Akhilesh’s reaction failed to convince many of Khan’s loyalists, who view the party’s current leadership as passive spectators to Khan’s undoing.

The Samajwadi Party, while maintaining that it stands with Khan, has offered limited active political support. Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary reiterated that Khan is being framed and supported by the party, but actions on ground tell a more muted story. Previous acts like Akhilesh’s 2021 cycle rally in Rampur, and hiring senior advocate Kapil Sibal in 2022 to secure Khan’s bail, are often cited as evidence of support, yet are criticized as being too little and too late.

Azam Khan's Fall from SP’s Core

Khan’s decline mirrors the shift in SP's internal power dynamics. Once Mulayam Singh Yadav’s most trusted Muslim face, Khan held sway over Rampur, controlled key ministries during the 2012-2017 SP government, and served as the de facto No. 2 in the party. But with Mulayam’s fading role and Akhilesh’s rise, Khan’s influence waned.

Their strained relationship became public when Khan declined the Speaker’s post, famously saying he wouldn’t tolerate “paper balls being thrown at him.” Despite this, he won the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Rampur, even during the BJP wave, underscoring his undiluted personal connect with the masses.

However, his controversial remarks against BJP leader Jaya Prada, and accusations related to land grabbing for the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, became flashpoints that triggered a chain of legal troubles.

Legal Troubles Mount: Over 100 Cases and Counting

From 2019 onward, a relentless flood of criminal cases — many lodged under IAS officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh during his tenure as Rampur DM — put Khan and his family in legal jeopardy. Cases ranged from land grabbing, criminal intimidation, hate speech, to obstructing government function.

Khan has been convicted twice since 2022, losing his MLA seat and voting rights. His son, Abdullah Azam, has also been disqualified twice, and Tazeen Fatima has served jail time. Their dream institution, Jauhar University, is under scrutiny with more than 100 cases pending, and faces possible derecognition.

Rampur No Longer Loyal: SP’s Decline, BJP’s Rise

Rampur — once Khan’s impregnable bastion — has slipped away. Despite Muslims forming over 60% of the electorate, SP lost the Lok Sabha and assembly bypolls, with BJP’s Akash Saxena clinching a win by over 34,000 votes. Several of Khan’s trusted aides have either joined BJP or refused to campaign, citing fear or disillusionment.

The by-election for the Swar constituency, triggered by Abdullah Azam’s disqualification, will be a critical test of whether the Khan family's influence in Rampur still holds weight. A loss would be a final nail in the political coffin of the family.

Emotional Fallout: The Family's Turn to God

The political betrayal, legal avalanche, and personal suffering have left the Khan family relying on faith over politics. Tazeen Fatima’s tearful remarks and Azam Khan’s public silence, coupled with reported health issues, reflect a man who once roared like a lion in the assembly now retreating into helpless silence.

Observers believe that his withdrawal isn’t just due to age or illness, but a profound political heartbreak, stemming from abandonment by the very party he built from the ground up.

SP's Dilemma and Strategic Distance

Insiders suggest that the SP leadership is strategically distancing itself from Khan to avoid further legal entanglements or alienating other voter segments, especially ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. The leadership is likely walking a tightrope — unwilling to outright discard Khan, but hesitant to fully embrace him in his current legal condition.

This has led to sharp criticism from veterans like Virendra Goel, a childhood friend and former SP Rampur chief, who called Khan the "voice of the downtrodden" and accused the party of turning its back on a loyal soldier.

Conclusion: A Legacy at Crossroads

Azam Khan’s journey — from a powerful political strategist to a forsaken prisoner — is emblematic of modern political fragility. His story raises questions not just about loyalty, justice, and political legacy, but about how parties treat their veterans when the winds shift.

With his legal appeals pending, political allies abandoning him, and rallying support now reduced to prayers, Khan’s future hangs in the balance.

As his family looks skyward for justice, and the SP maintains calculated silence, Rampur waits — perhaps not for a verdict from courtrooms — but a judgment from the people who once called him their “Mini CM.” The outcome of the upcoming Swar by-election might offer the final word on whether Azam Khan’s political story ends in despair or resurrection.

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