Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Shivpal Yadav’s Azam Khan Support Sparks Political Row
Shivpal Yadav, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, said Azam Khan was put in jail through false cases.
He said Azam Khan would be released if the SP formed the next government in Uttar Pradesh.
The SP also said Azam Khan and his family had been unfairly targeted.
Leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance disagreed.
They said Azam Khan faced cases involving property and alleged misuse of government resources.
They also accused the SP of protecting controversial leaders.
This disagreement has created a new political argument in Uttar Pradesh.
The rival sides are using the issue to criticize each other before future elections.
Shivpal Singh Yadav said Azam Khan was implicated in false cases and would be released if the Samajwadi Party returned to power in Uttar Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma backed Yadav and alleged that Azam Khan, his wife and his son were targeted after the BJP came to power.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar rejected the allegations, saying the cases against Azam Khan were not all registered during the BJP’s tenure.
BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar accused the Samajwadi Party of defending leaders facing serious allegations and criticized its record in Uttar Pradesh.
Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan cited alleged property and resource-misuse cases against Azam Khan and warned that the SP could face electoral consequences in 2027.
- Who
- Shivpal Singh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party defended jailed leader Azam Khan, while National Democratic Alliance leaders criticized that position.
- What
- Yadav said Azam Khan had been implicated in false cases and would be released if the SP returned to power.
- When
- Yadav made the remarks at a political event on Monday; the controversy was reported on Tuesday.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Uttar Pradesh, with the report datelined Lucknow.
- Why
- The remarks triggered a political dispute over whether cases against Azam Khan were politically motivated or based on alleged property and resource-related wrongdoing.
Samajwadi Party’s Defense
NDA’s Criticism
Nature of the cases
Samajwadi Party’s Defense
The SP says Azam Khan and his family were implicated in false cases and politically targeted after the BJP took power in Uttar Pradesh.
NDA’s Criticism
NDA leaders say the cases involve alleged property violations, misuse of resources and other issues, and cannot simply be blamed on the BJP government.
Political consequences
Samajwadi Party’s Defense
The SP says it will release Azam Khan and take action against those who falsely implicated its leaders if it returns to power.
NDA’s Criticism
NDA leaders argue that the SP’s support for Azam Khan reveals its true character and could damage the party electorally.
- Main statement
- Shivpal Singh Yadav said Azam Khan was implicated in false cases.
- SP promise
- Yadav said Azam Khan would be released if the SP formed the Uttar Pradesh government.
- SP defense
- Ashutosh Verma alleged that Azam Khan, his wife and his son were targeted after the BJP came to power.
- Government response
- Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said the cases were not all registered during the BJP’s tenure.
- BJP criticism
- BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar accused the SP of defending leaders facing serious allegations.
- JD(U) criticism
- Rajeev Ranjan cited property-related allegations and alleged misuse of resources against Azam Khan.
- Election reference
- Ranjan said the SP could face serious electoral consequences in 2027.