Akhilesh briefs sulking Azam on steps taken in Muzaffarnagar

At Agra,party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav had demanded Azam Khan’s resignation over skipping the meet. Other SP leaders,including Naresh Aggrawal and Abu Asim Azmi,had supported Ramgopal Yadav. However,Mulayam in a damage control exercise called up Azam from Agra. Later,Mulayam announced that Azam can never get angry with him and he is aware why he didn’t come to Agra. Mulayam asked the CM to explain Azam’s absence from Cabinet meetings. Akhilesh however did not respond. Amidst these developments,Azam maintained silence.

After returning from Agra,Akhilesh was asked by Mulayam to visit Azam Khan at his residence. Akhilesh reached Azam’s residence in the afternoon and stayed there for nearly an hour. Though no official information was available about the meeting,sources claimed discussion revolved around Muzaffarnagar violence and other Muslim issues.

Akhilesh briefed Khan about the steps taken by the government for controlling the riots. Since Azam is also the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and with Assembly session beginning on September 16,it was important for the government to keep Azam in good humour.

Sources said that Muzaffarnagar violence may be presented as the main reason behind Azam Khan’s anger but there are several other reasons. Lately,Azam has not been keeping good relations with Ramgopal Yadav. The enhanced involvement of Ramgopal in state’s politics and SP had irked Azam Khan. It is also learnt that certain communications from Azam Khan regarding some work were not given much importance by CM’s office which also annoyed Azam Khan.

Due to this,Azam was not attending any official function and even remained absent from cabinet meetings.

During the 18 months of Akhilesh Yadav government,Azam Khan had expressed his displeasure on several occasions. Azam had tendered his resignation as minister incharge of Muzaffarnagar and Ghaziabad district after he was replaced as minister incharge of Meerut. He had again offered to resign from the chairmanship of state resource committee after its recommendations were not followed. In the wake of Kumbh tragedy,Azam had again submitted his resignation from the chairmanship of organising committee. On all the occasions,Azam’s resignation was turned down.

This is not the first time that Akhilesh had to reach out to Azam Khan to placate him. In August last year,Azam made it a prestige issue to suspend Lucknow Municipal Commissioner N P Singh. He stopped attending office and Akhilesh had to visit his house to soothe his anger.