In the bustling political arena of Rampur, with just a week remaining until the first phase of general elections, the absence of senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mohd Azam Khan has cast a shadow over the political landscape of this constituency.
With Khan behind bars facing multiple charges, his traditional stronghold faces a new reality: a contest without his direct participation.
Even in Khan's absence from Rampur as a voter, contestant, or campaigner, the undeniable truth remains: whether loved or loathed, Azam Khan cannot be overlooked.
Rampur, a constituency boasting a significant Muslim population of 50.5 percent, finds itself at the center of a fiercely contested election.
The SP, breaking from tradition, has chosen Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi as its candidate, a move not endorsed by Azam Khan. Nadvi, the Imam of Parliament Street Mosque in Delhi, steps into the political arena amidst internal party turmoil.
Azam Khan was keen on his associate Asim Raza contesting the seat, but SP President Akhilesh Yadav went ahead and announced the candidature of Nadvi.
The rift within SP became apparent when Azam Khan's preferred candidate, Asim Raza, saw his nomination papers rejected during scrutiny, leaving Nadvi as the official SP contender.
Meanwhile, the BJP has nominated incumbent MP Ghanshyam Lodhi, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has put forth Zeeshan Khan as its candidate.
Despite his incarceration, Azam Khan remains a potent force in Rampur politics, strategically extending support to Zeeshan Khan of the BSP. The BSP's decision has gained traction, fueled by whispers of Azam Khan's tacit support for Zeeshan Khan, further fragmenting the Muslim vote base between SP and BSP.
Nadvi, facing challenges both from within his party and external rivals, remains optimistic, banking on the support of SP leaders and hoping to secure Azam Khan's backing.
Discontent within the SP ranks is palpable, with local leader Virendra Goyal voicing concerns: “Nadvi has not even found time to visit the party office here. He is also soft towards those forces that targeted Azam Khan and sent him and his family to jail. How can we support such a person?”
However, the ground reality paints a different picture, with Azam Khan's loyalists rallying behind the BSP candidate. The Samajwadi cadres in Rampur have withdrawn themselves from the election campaign of Nadvi who, in any case, is being looked upon as an outsider.
The BJP, sensing an opportunity in the division of Muslim votes between SP and BSP, remains confident in its electoral prospects.
Javed Malik, BJP's western UP minority wing chief, exudes confidence in repeating their electoral success in Rampur, proclaiming the end of the "Azam Khan era."
“BJP has brought the focus back on the neglected poor among the community that had previously remained sidelined. We will repeat our victory in Rampur because the era of Azam Khan is over,” said Javed Malik.
As Rampur heads towards election day, the outcome hangs in the balance, contingent upon Azam Khan's ability to influence voter sentiment in favor of the BSP.
With SP cadres withdrawing support for Nadvi and the BJP capitalizing on the division of Muslim votes, the political landscape of Rampur is poised for a seismic shift.
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