Azam refuses to inaugurate ghat at last minute, orders probe…

By ordering the inquiry, Azam has, in a way, raised questions on his own state government as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle, Shivpal Yadav, is the state Irrigation Minister whose Irrigation Department has developed the ghat. Refusal to inaugurate the ghat at the last moment also led to an embarrassment for Congress MLA, who had organised the event and had reportedly invited Azam.

Bulandshahr District Magistrate B Chandrakala said since the ghat was developed by the Irrigation department, the inquiry would be conducted by an officer above the rank of Superintending Engineer from the concerned department. The DM said that the quality of the construction material as well as expenditure of the fund against the work done would be probed and a report would be sent to the state government as soon as possible.

Chandrakala added that MLA Dilnawaz Khan had organised the public meeting — Hindu-Muslim Ekta Sammelan — and had himself sought time from Cabinet Minister Azam Khan to attend the programme.

When contacted, Dilnawaz Khan denied any connection with the event and claimed that he was present there in the capacity of the local MLA.

“Minister Azam Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of certain development works like changing rooms and tiles and so denied to dedicate it to the public. But he has assured to inaugurate when the ghat would be re-developed properly,” Dilnawaz, the first-time MLA from Syana, said.

He added that it was the public that wanted Azam to inaugurate the ghat. Dilnawaz claimed that he had proposed the development of the ghat in 2012 to fulfill his father’s dream of developing a ghat for the convenience of Hindu devotees on the bank of Ganga river in the district.

Dilnawaz also claimed that local public had organised the Hindu-Muslim Ekta Sammelan and he had no connection with it. But sources said that the entire local Congress unit was present in the event where Azam addressed the gathering and ordered for an inquiry from the stage.