Jail se Aaye Hain, Teerth Yatra Se Nahi...,' BJP takes a dig at Akhilesh Yadav-Azam Khan meet

Punjab News: After months behind bars, senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has finally been released from jail. Soon after, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and SP president Akhilesh Yadav visited him in Rampur. The two leaders held a private but lengthy conversation that drew wide political attention. Supporters of the Samajwadi Party called the meeting emotional, but their rivals in the BJP were quick to target the move. The political reactions have now taken center stage in Uttar Pradesh.

SP accused of political drama

Uttar Pradesh minister Danish Azad Ansari strongly criticized the Samajwadi Party for remembering Azam Khan only during elections. He said that when Khan was in jail, SP leaders never showed concern. Now, by visiting Rampur, they were trying to mislead Muslims, he claimed. According to him, the community is aware that this is nothing more than political theater. Ansari added that even in 2024, SP leaders had only reached out during election season. He warned voters not to be fooled by such stunts.

BJP minister questions media focus

BJP leader and cabinet minister Nitin Agarwal also commented sharply on the issue. Speaking in Gonda during a public event, he said Azam Khan had come out of jail, not returned from a pilgrimage. Agarwal argued that media should not glorify him, as his release was only a result of a legal process. He said that Khan had been jailed for serious charges and completed his sentence, and now his bail was simply a judicial matter. According to Agarwal, there was nothing special worth highlighting.

Bail termed as judicial process

Agarwal went further, reminding that Azam Khan’s release was not an act of forgiveness or honor but simply a judicial process. He emphasized that meeting him now was a personal choice, and it should not be exaggerated politically. He underlined that Akhilesh Yadav’s visit was understandable as they belong to the same party, but it held no larger meaning. Agarwal also dismissed speculation of Khan joining the BJP, saying such decisions were taken only by the national leadership.

Bihar elections also in focus

Interestingly, Agarwal used the occasion to shift attention toward the upcoming Bihar elections. He said the NDA was united and working to defeat the legacy of jungle raj associated with Lalu Prasad Yadav. According to him, the people of Bihar had seen real change under the NDA and would vote to continue stability. He claimed that the alliance was confident of winning and delivering strong governance. His remarks showed how national politics often connects state-level issues.

SP under pressure in Rampur

For the Samajwadi Party, Rampur has always been a stronghold, and Azam Khan remains a symbolic figure. His release could help SP consolidate its traditional vote bank, especially among Muslims. However, BJP leaders believe the SP’s outreach is only seasonal, focused around elections. Critics argue that Khan’s political weight has reduced due to years of legal battles and time in jail. Whether his presence will boost SP or not remains an open question ahead of polls.

Political drama set to continue

The release of Azam Khan has sparked political drama in Uttar Pradesh once again. For the SP, his meeting with Akhilesh Yadav signals a show of unity. For the BJP, it is a chance to remind voters of past controversies. As elections draw near, both sides are using his release to sharpen their narratives. For ordinary people, however, the bigger question is whether such political fights will bring any real change to their lives and governance.