The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
In Rampur, Moradabad, SP clears air amid confusion
Confusion within the SP ranks was visible Wednesday, the last day for filing nominations for first phase of the polls scheduled for April 19, when more than one party leader claimed to have filed nominations on the party’s symbol in the constituencies of Rampur and Moradabad. However, the SP later claimed that the issue had been resolved.
Rampur
The matter came to a head in Rampur on Tuesday evening when the SP local cadre announced it was going to boycott the polls from the seat.
Sp sources said party supremo Akhilesh Yadav had visited Azam Khan, the now-jailed former MP from these at, at the si tap ur prison Friday. Khan had reportedly requested Yadav to contest from Rampur. The local cadre, which still owes allegiance to Khan, was expecting this would be the case.
However, Wednesday, the SP leadership sprang a surprise when it sent party state president Naresh Uttar Patel to accompany Muslim cleric and debutant Mohibullah Nadvi to Rampur. Nadvi filed his nomination papers. Nadvi said Khan was his “wellwisher” and he prayed for him.
Meanwhile, Asim Raja, who is among Khan’s confidants and had contested the bypoll in Rampur Lok Sabha seat in 2022, also filed his nomination.
“I have filed a nomination. If some maulana, or pandit has also filed, then it is their right. This is democracy. It will become clear who will contest,” Raja said.
Asked if he filed the nomination on Yadav’s instructions, Raja said ,“who else willi file on behalf of? Who is my leader? Akhilesh ji is my leader and so is Azam Khan. There is no problem if two people file nominations. the party which has support from the people has several candidates.”
However, Virendra Goel, the SP’S Rampur district unit chief, told The Indian Express that Raja has filed as an Independent candidate. SP national spokesperson Raj end ra choud ha ry confirmed it, saying the decision was taken by the party's top leadership.
As per party leaders, Nadvi is a native of Rampur’s Raza Nagar village, which falls under Suar Tehsil. Nadvi is the cleric of the mosque on Parliament Street in New Delhi and is said to share a good relationship with several MPS, including Sambhal MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq, who passed away in february this year.
“He (Nadvi) is not very well known in Rampur, but let’s see how he does in elections. He has the backing of top SP leadership and may do well considering that Rampur has a sizeable Muslim population,” said an SP leader.
Moradabad
In mora dab ad, sp leader ru chi Veera filed her nomination Wednesday. ST Hasan, who had won these at in 2019, had filed his nomination from the same seat a day earlier. Hasan’s ticket was howeverreportedly cancelled after the SP leadership’s intervention.
SP national spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI that Hasan’s ticket has been cancelled and that in his place former Bijnor MLA Veera has been made the party candidate.
Veera said, “What should I say? All of you should congratulate me (for filing nomination). I have filed my nomination from sp. You should speak to returning officer and party officials regarding the rules.” She is considered close to Azam Khan. “After second nomination was filed today by Ruchi Veera, she is official candidate of SP from the seat. Form A and B, which was submitted by S T Hasan a day before along with his candidature, has been cancelledby party ...,” said man vend ra Singh, Moradabad DM.
Meanwhile, there is resentment in a section of SP over its decision to replace Hasan with Veera in mora da bad seat. sp rajy as ab ha MP Javed Ali Khan took to social media to allege Moradabad has come under influence of Rampur, indicating the decision has been influenced by Azam Khan.