By Manjiri Joshi,News18,Oliver Fredrick

Copyright news18

Will the release of Samajwadi Party’s founding member and prominent Muslim leader Azam Khan, after nearly two years in Sitapur jail, reshape electoral dynamics in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections?
Political analysts believe his freedom could revive the ‘Azam Khan factor’ in western UP politics — if the party and Khan’s supporters can turn years of legal troubles and incarceration into a compelling political narrative.
On Tuesday afternoon, the 75-year-old walked out of Sitapur jail after securing bail in the last pending case against him, which was related to alleged encroachment on a beer bar property. Police had tried to delay his release under the Enemy Property Act, but a Rampur court struck down the move on September 20. Khan was received by his sons, Abdullah Azam and Adeeb, and the family departed for Rampur in a 100-vehicle cavalcade, signalling the leader’s enduring influence.
Rumours that he might leave the SP for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) were quickly dismissed. Shivpal Yadav stated that, “Azam Khan sahab has been and will always remain with the Samajwadi Party.”
Azam Khan: SP’s most prominent Muslim face in western UP
For over three decades, Azam Khan has been the undisputed architect of Rampur politics. A ten-time MLA, former MP, and founding SP member alongside Mulayam Singh Yadav, he has been the party’s most prominent Muslim face in western UP. His fiery speeches and organisational reach made him indispensable to the SP’s Muslim outreach.
Political scientist and head department of political science Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow Shashikant Pandey said, “The Azam Khan factor is very real. His personal charisma and ability to mobilize Muslim votes remain unmatched. If the SP can project him as a victim of political vendetta while simultaneously addressing Dalit and backward caste concerns, it could consolidate a significant vote bank ahead of 2027.”
The upcoming Swar bypoll, triggered by the disqualification of Khan’s son Abdullah Azam, will act as a key test of his residual influence. A victory could signal loyalty among the family’s support base, while a defeat might indicate limits to the revival of the Azam Khan factor.

#WATCH | Shahjahanpur, UP: After being released from Sitapur jail, SP leader Azam Khan says, “Patta patta boota boota haal hamara jaane hai.”
Regarding speculation about him joining the BSP, he says, “I can’t say anything on this…”
He further says, “I will get treatment, work… pic.twitter.com/hc59suEgye
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2025

What Azam Khan’s return means
Khan’s return could reshape electoral equations in western UP, particularly in districts with substantial Muslim populations such as Rampur, Moradabad, Amroha, and Bijnor. If the SP successfully turns Khan’s legal struggles into a narrative of political vendetta, it could blunt BJP gains in select constituencies. However, Pandey warns that without outreach beyond Muslim voters, the impact may remain localized.
Azam Khan’s political journey began in the 1980s. A founding SP member, he became a ten-time MLA from Rampur and briefly served as MP. He was central to the party’s Muslim strategy. “He was the spine of SP’s Muslim strategy,” says Pandey.
Khan wielded significant influence during the 2012-2017 SP government, controlling major portfolios and acting as the de facto No. 2. Even after declining the post of Assembly Speaker — famously stating he wouldn’t tolerate paper balls being thrown at him — he remained indispensable. His influence began to wane with Mulayam Singh Yadav’s fading role and Akhilesh Yadav’s ascent, despite the SP retaining him as a key leader.

VIDEO | Uttar Pradesh: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been released from Sitapur Jail.
Azam Khan was acquitted by a special MP-MLA court last week in a 17-year-old case related to road blockade and damage to public property. The case dates back to 2008, when Khan… pic.twitter.com/R7ONb38oCD
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2025

Azam Khan’s legal troubles
Since 2019, Khan and his family have faced over 100 legal cases, ranging from land grabbing and hate speech to obstruction of government work and criminal intimidation. Khan was convicted twice, losing his MLA seat and voting rights. Abdullah Azam has been disqualified twice, and Tazeen Fatima served jail time.
The Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, once Khan’s flagship project, remains under scrutiny and faces potential derecognition. These challenges weakened the family’s political standing and created space for the BJP, which won the Rampur assembly bypoll by over 34,000 votes despite Muslims forming over 60% of the electorate.
However, SP maintains it has stood firmly with Khan. Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told News18: “We are there with Azam Khan, who is our seniormost member. He has been framed in false cases. Akhilesh ji has rightly pointed out that either the judiciary, SP’s return to power, or divine intervention can help him.”
However, party insiders acknowledge that most support has been symbolic and reactive: rallies, jail visits, and legal assistance to senior lawyer Kapil Sibal helped secure bail after 27 months, but many in Rampur question whether the SP leadership distanced itself from Khan for political calculations.

#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: On speculations of SP leader Azam Khan joining BSP, SP chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav says, “Azam Khan and Samajwadis have played a major role in facing BJP for a long time now…We hope that in the time to come, all his cases will be finished. The manner in… pic.twitter.com/jvkbsuDiQH
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2025

The challenges ahead
Once a fortress, Rampur now sees BJP making major inroads. Several aides joined the BJP, while others refrained from campaigning due to fear or disillusionment. Akash Saxena’s bypoll victory was a major blow to Khan’s legacy.
With Abdullah Azam disqualified again, a fresh bypoll in Swar will test the Azam Khan factor. Pandey said that, “Translating Azam Khan’s symbolic influence into votes will require active organizational work, clear messaging, and outreach beyond Muslim voters. The SP must project him as a victim of political vendetta while addressing caste concerns to consolidate support ahead of 2027.”
A win would indicate the family’s base remains loyal; a loss could push them further toward political marginality. For the SP-Congress alliance, the challenge is to project Khan as a symbol of injustice while ensuring the narrative resonates beyond Rampur.
As Uttar Pradesh heads toward the high-stakes 2027 Assembly elections, the Azam Khan factor will be one of the most closely watched subplots — testing both his political survival and the SP’s ability to maintain its crucial support base.