BJP aims to deliver knockout punch in SP stronghold
RAMPUR: The slow and steady saffron makeover of Rampur’s skyline depicts the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) strategy to breach the Samajwadi Party stronghold in the Lok Sabha election with its development model.
Buildings, gates and monuments erected during the tenure of nine-term SP MLA Azam Khan have lost sheen - some edifices have been razed while others dubbed as “illegal encroachment by Jauhar Trust” are being removed, paving way for the rise of saffron structures - Shree Ram Chowk in the heart of the city, PM Svanidhi Corridor on the busy Shahabad road and the Saras Haat on the outskirts of the city.
Azam Khan’s house located on Jail Road is deserted while the residence of BJP MLA Akash Saxena in Jwala Nagar is abuzz with activities as party workers throng his office to chart out the day’s poll campaign. “Now, Jwala Nagar is the power centre of Rampur and a symbol of development,” said a BJP worker.
Saxena said the BJP government has launched development projects and schemes in the district for people’s welfare. Street vendors have been allotted 300 shops in the PM Svanidhi Corridor that has become a unique landmark of the city. The BJP government has set up a haat for the promotion of local products and women self-help groups have been allotted shops to sell various products, he added.
He said the UP government has been able to send a message to the people that Rampur is free from the clutches of Azam Khan. “The bruises on the city’s culture and identity are being heeled. Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi, which was damaged under the SP government, has been renovated with Rs 250 crore fund. Ali Jauhar Road has been renamed Mahatma Gandhi Road and Shaukat Ali road has been rechristened as Janpad Road. Raza Library, considered a treasure trove of Indo-Islamic learning and arts, is undergoing revival under the ministry of culture. Khan tried to shut the library by moving the rare manuscripts and books,” alleged Saxena.
During his campaign in Rampur, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said: “Rampur is playing a pivotal role in the state’s progress and development is prioritized for all without favoritism. The BJP government’s vision is for a Rampur where every individual is respected, feels secure.”
BJP candidate Ghanshyam Lodhi, once a confidante of Azam Khan, said: “The so-called development of Rampur under SP government was only for Khan. Under the BJP government, Rampur is witnessing holistic development, paving way for the growing influence of saffron in the SP stronghold.”
“Though Azam Khan is lodged in jail along with his wife and former MP Tazeen Fatima and son Abdullah Azam (former MLA), politics in the constituency revolves around Khan,” said a BJP worker Ashutosh Verma, adding: “We are keeping a watch on the tussle between SP workers loyal to Khan and those committed to the SP leadership. The BJP stands to gain from the infighting in the SP camp,” he said.
To make inroads into the Muslim vote, the BJP on Monday opened doors to Haider Ali Khan alias Hamza Mian, son of former MLA Nawab Kazim Alia Khan. Haider had contested the 2022 assembly election from Suar seat but lost to SP candidate Abdullah Azam.
SP candidate Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, a cleric at a mosque on Delhi’s Parliament Street, played down the differences in the party. “SP chief Akhilesh Yadav finalised my Lok Sabha ticket and I have blessings of Azam Khan. Party leaders and workers are campaigning for my victory,” he said.
Akhilesh Yadav had met Azam Khan in Sitapur jail in mid-March to discuss the distribution of tickets in Rampur and adjoining constituencies. Khan urged Akhilesh to contest from Rampur or field a member of the Yadav family, but the SP fielded Nadvi, triggering resentment among Khan supporters.
“The absence of Raza and other SP leaders does not augur well for the SP candidate. It’s a clear indication that Azam’s supporters have deserted him,” said Abbas Ali, an SP worker.
However, the Yadav community that had a bitter relationship with the supporters of Azam Khan has mobilised support for the SP candidate in the absence of Khan.
There are 42% Muslim voters, 17% Dalit, 23% OBC, 14% upper caste and 3% Sikh community voters in the constituency. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, BJP candidate Nepal Singh secured victory defeating SP candidate Naseer Ahmed Khan.