It was a quiet afternoon in Rampur when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav arrived at the residence of Azam Khan, the party’s veteran face and one of its most controversial leaders.
This was not just another courtesy visit – it was their first meeting in nearly two years, since Khan’s release from Sitapur jail on September 22.
Akhilesh flew from Lucknow to Bareilly, then drove to Rampur – a journey seen as both personal and political. For the SP chief, the visit was a gesture of reconciliation. For Khan, it was a moment to reaffirm old loyalties amid whispers of defection.
“I Will Meet Only Akhilesh”
Hours before Akhilesh’s arrival, Azam Khan had set the tone. Speaking to reporters outside his residence, he said firmly,
“There is no programme. Akhilesh Yadav will meet me, and I will meet only him.”
When asked about meeting Rampur MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, he replied curtly, “I don’t know him.”
It was clear – the meeting was to be personal, one-on-one, free of intermediaries or speculation.
Rumours, Loyalty, and a Defiant Quote
In recent weeks, rumours had swirled that Azam Khan might cross over to Mayawati’s BSP. But the Rampur strongman, who has weathered dozens of criminal cases and political isolation, dismissed the buzz with characteristic defiance.
“We have something called character,” he said. “Character doesn’t depend on holding a post – it means people love and respect us. We are not for sale, and we’ve proved that.”
His words were both a denial and a declaration – a message that, despite everything, he still sees himself as part of the Samajwadi story.
Legal Reliefs Pave the Way
Khan’s renewed confidence comes after a series of legal reprieves. On September 18, the Allahabad High Court granted him bail in the Quality Bar land grab case. Earlier, on September 10, he secured bail in another case involving alleged forced evictions in Rampur’s Dungarpur Colony.
Not long ago, he was acquitted in a 17-year-old case related to a road blockade and damage to public property. Over the years, Khan has faced 16 FIRs spanning a range of charges – but the tide seems to be turning.
A Political Equation Revisited
The meeting between Akhilesh and Azam, once one of SP’s most formidable duos, signals more than personal warmth. It hints at a strategic realignment within the party, especially as Uttar Pradesh politics heads into another intense election cycle.