Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday released a list of 40-star campaigners for the upcoming bypolls in nine Assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh, which includes jailed party leader Azam Khan.
The inclusion of jailed party veteran Azam Khan in SP’s star campaigners list has led to criticism from within the party ranks, as some leaders have questioned the party’s ‘duplicity and cunningness’ in its attempt to corner Muslim votes.
Virendra Goyal, former district president of Samajwadi Party in Rampur has raised questions on the party’s intentions to include Azam Khan’s name in the list of star campaigners.
Putting his own party in the dock, Virendra Goyal said that the SP wants to only garner Muslim votes by making Azam Khan, the star campaigner in by-elections.
“SP leaders did not take any concrete steps in support of Azam Khan despite him being in jail for long. If the SP leadership really wanted to support Azam Khan, it would have fought for him from the Parliament to the streets. Azam Khan's wife Tanzin Fatima is alone at home but no SP leader came to inquire about her well-being,” Virendra Goyal said.
He further said that naming Azam Khan as a star campaigner in the by-elections was nothing but a conspiracy to rally the Muslim vote bank.
“Akhilesh-led party never supported Azam Khan in his difficult times but today, they want the votes of the Muslim community,” he said.
Azam Khan, former cabinet minister and ten-time MLA has been convicted in multiple cases over alleged graft and corruption cases and is currently languishing in jail.
Akhilesh Yadav, wife Dimple Yadav, SP’s general secretary Shivpal Yadav and Jaya Bachchan are among the leading party’s star campaigners for bypolls.
By-elections in nine Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh are slated for November 13.
The seats undergoing bypolls include Sisamau, Katehri, Kundarki, and Karhal (won by SP), Khair, Phulpur, and Ghaziabad (won by BJP), Manjhwa (NISHAD), Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar (won by RLD). The counting of votes will take place on November 23.
New Urban Community Health Centre to reduce patients rush in GBP Hospital: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday laid foundation stone of 50-bed Urban Community Health Center here at Agartala and said that the present government is working diligently to improve health infrastructure and services in the state.
Govt determined to develop sports infrastructure in Tripura: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated football turf, athletics track and hockey ground here at Agartala Dasarath Deb Sports Complex at Badharghat and said that the government is determined to develop facilities and platform for sports persons in the state.
Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs'
As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the world reacted sharply against the decision, with some calling it a "mistake that benefits no one" while others called it a violation of Washington's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Indian pharmaceutical exports get reprieve from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
Because of the importance of India’s pharmaceuticals to US healthcare, those exports will get a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, according to the White House.
India stands less impacted by Trump tariffs than global peers: Industry
As US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, including India, industry experts said on Thursday that it appears India's export competitiveness to the US market stands far less impacted on a relative basis compared to global peers.
IAF pilot killed, another critical as Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Gujarat
An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot lost his life, while another sustained critical injuries after their two-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Gujarat's Jamnagar Airfield, the IAF confirmed on Thursday.
PM Modi emplanes for Thailand; to attend BIMSTEC summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emplaned for Thailand on a state visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to bolster bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok.
Bhavan’s Little Learners celebrate annual programme
The Bhavan’s Little Learners, Bordowali celebrated annual programme and organised prize distribution ceremony here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Wednesday.