Lucknow, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Samajwadi Party (SP) National General Secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav’s remarks supporting jailed party leader Azam Khan have triggered a political exchange in Uttar Pradesh, with ruling NDA leaders accusing the SP of defending a leader facing multiple cases.
Speaking at a political event on Monday, Shivpal Yadav alleged that Azam Khan had been implicated in false cases and said he would be released if the SP returned to power in Uttar Pradesh.
“Those who try to trap Azam Khan will be guilty… If the SP forms the government in Uttar Pradesh, Azam Khan will be out,” he said.
SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma backed Shivpal Yadav’s position and alleged that Azam Khan and his family had been targeted after the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh.
“Everyone knows that Azam Khan had established a university of such calibre that thousands — lakhs — of students could study there and build their futures, but ever since the BJP government came to power, not only Azam Khan, but his wife and his son have been sent to jail and implicated in false cases,” Verma said.
“When BJP cannot fight, it resorts to such tactics. When the SP government comes to power, action will be taken against those who have falsely implicated our leaders,” he added.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar rejected the SP’s allegations and questioned Shivpal Yadav’s claim that Azam Khan had been falsely implicated. Rajbhar said several cases involving Khan were registered during the SP’s tenure and referred to allegations concerning government land and construction.
He also questioned Shivpal Yadav’s record as a former minister, alleging irregularities in recruitment during the previous SP government. Rajbhar contrasted those allegations with what he described as the current government’s recruitment process.
BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar also criticised the SP over Shivpal Yadav’s remarks, accusing the party of defending leaders facing serious allegations. He made a series of allegations against the SP and said people in Uttar Pradesh would remember its record.
JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan also attacked the SP’s position on Azam Khan. Referring to the cases involving Khan, including property-related matters, Ranjan questioned Shivpal Yadav’s contention that action against the jailed leader amounted to wrongdoing.
The political exchange comes amid renewed focus on Azam Khan within the SP ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Shivpal Yadav had earlier visited Rampur and met Azam Khan, while also raising concerns about his treatment in jail.
The allegations made by the rival political leaders remain contested and concern matters that are subject to legal proceedings.
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