Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) veteran Azam Khan on Friday met with party president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, in what Khan described as a deliberate effort to convey a message of resilience, justice, and the need for political change in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting, held amidst heightened political speculation, comes weeks after Khan’s release from nearly two years of incarceration on multiple charges, including alleged land grabbing and intimidation.

Speaking to reporters after the interaction, Khan underscored the symbolic importance of the meeting. “The real intent of our meeting was to show that despite the oppression and historic injustices we faced, there still exist people whose endurance is stronger than stone or mountain,” he said. Khan’s remarks highlighted both the personal and political dimensions of his incarceration, framing the encounter as an assertion of strength in the face of past adversities.

Khan, accompanied by his son and former MLA Abdullah Azam, recalled the ongoing struggles of his party colleagues and supporters. “Many of our people are still in jail. When we meet, we remind each other of those painful times so that future generations remember that such injustice once took place,” he said, emphasizing the enduring impact of legal and administrative actions on SP workers.

The senior SP leader also addressed perceptions surrounding his political stature, noting a shift in how the media and public view him. “Those who once misunderstood me now seem to realize that great injustice was done to us,” he stated. Reflecting on past challenges, Khan recounted Income Tax raids at his residence and at Jauhar University in Rampur, noting that officials had used “words that could make any decent person bow his head in shame.” He condemned what he described as the misuse of agencies, warning that such practices would continue unless the political system improved and citizens were more aware of the realities around them.

“This is a message for the people: until the political system becomes fair and accountable, injustice will continue. But I sense change. Those who once opposed me now come to meet me, embrace me, and weep. That is a sign of transformation,” Khan remarked, suggesting that the political climate in Uttar Pradesh is gradually shifting in favor of accountability and reconciliation.

Khan also clarified that his visit to Lucknow was not connected to any ongoing court proceedings. “There is no other reason. I came to meet Akhilesh Yadav and to send a message through you that we stand for change,” he said, firmly rejecting speculation about ulterior motives behind his appearance in the state capital.

This meeting marks the second major interaction between Khan and Yadav in a month. On October 8, Akhilesh Yadav had visited Rampur to meet Khan, describing him as a “strong pillar” of the Samajwadi Party. At the time, Yadav promised that a future SP government would withdraw all allegedly false cases against Khan and others similarly targeted. Friday’s meeting in Lucknow reinforces that narrative, highlighting the party’s commitment to solidarity with its senior leaders.

Azam Khan, now 77 years old, has been a central figure in the SP since its founding and is considered a close aide of the late party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Over the years, he has held significant ministerial portfolios in various SP governments in Uttar Pradesh, shaping both state policy and party strategy. His influence and political acumen have often positioned him as a key decision-maker within the party, making his alignment with Akhilesh Yadav particularly important in the current political context.

During the period of his incarceration, speculation ran rife about possible tensions between Khan and Yadav, with some suggesting that Khan might sever ties with the party. However, Khan has categorically denied any intentions to leave the SP, emphasizing that his allegiance remains intact. “I am a founding member of this party, and my bond with the Samajwadi Party and its principles is unwavering,” he asserted.

Observers note that the meeting also carries broader political significance. By publicly reaffirming their association, Khan and Yadav aim to send a clear message to party workers and the electorate alike: despite past challenges, the SP remains united and committed to challenging perceived injustices in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. The symbolism of resilience, coupled with the promise of justice and political reform, is likely intended to galvanize party supporters ahead of upcoming elections.

The encounter also reflects Khan’s continued efforts to reshape his public image. By emphasizing resilience and justice, Khan positions himself as a leader who has endured political persecution yet remains committed to the principles of fairness and governance reform. This framing resonates with both older party supporters familiar with his long-standing role in the SP and younger constituents observing the party’s evolving narrative.

In summary, Friday’s meeting between Azam Khan and Akhilesh Yadav is more than a routine political interaction. It represents a strategic reaffirmation of solidarity, a public declaration against historical injustices, and a concerted effort to communicate the SP’s commitment to resilience, justice, and systemic political change in Uttar Pradesh. As the party navigates complex political dynamics in the state, such interactions reinforce its message of unity and perseverance while signaling to both supporters and adversaries that the SP continues to value loyalty, leadership experience, and principled resistance to perceived political oppression.

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