AZAM DOWNPLAYS FEUD, TAKES SWIPE AT AMAR SINGH
State urban development minister Azam Khan on Friday sought to downplay the feud between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav. “It was not that serious a matter, but the media made it look big. The chief minister had taken some steps following which there were differences in the family. The CM made it clear that it was not a family dispute, but a political one,” stated Khan during his visit to Mathura and Agra. He inaugurated the new ‘Gaushala’ (cow shelter) at Radhakund Parikrama Marg in Goverdhan (Mathura) and then laid the foundation stone for work at Mazar Shaheed-e-Salis in New Agra locality of Agra. “Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) had already made clear that his decision would prevail and it happened so,” stated Azam while adding that he was with ‘Netaji’ when asked as to whom he stands with in the ongoing dispute. When asked if it was Amar Singh who was responsible for the differences in the Yadav family, Khan stated that what happened with Amitabh Bachchan and Ambani in the past goes to say so. “I would again say ‘chor ki darhi main tinka’,” quipped Azam Khan, without taking Amar Singh’s name. When asked if Amar Singh had returned to SP to avenge his insult on expulsion, Azam stated that insult is inflicted on one who has self respect. On being asked as to who was wrong -- chief minister Akhilesh Yadav or Shivpal Yadav – in the ongoing dispute, Khan said it was not the Mughal period where one had to ascertain as to who was right and who was wrong. “We are with Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and it is he whose decision is to prevail,” stated Khan. When asked about BJP leaders’ statement that the ongoing rift would harm the SP, Azam stated that what they are saying now was said by him 20 years ago. Addressing a gathering on Mazar ‘Shaheed-e-Saalis’ premises in Agra, Khan stressed on education amongst Muslims and urged both Shias and Sunnis to have cordial relations with each other to survive in the present world.