Amar, Azam face-off reaches flash point | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Amar, Azam face-off reaches flash point

Hindustan Times | ByM. Hasan and S. Raju, Lucknow/meerut
May 09, 2009 01:21 AM IST

The bad vibes between SP general secretaries Amar Singh and Azam Khan caught on with the two leaders' supporters who clashed in Rampur on Friday. M. Hasan and S. Raju report.

The bad vibes between SP general secretaries Amar Singh (53) and Azam Khan (60) caught on with the two leaders' supporters who clashed in Rampur on Friday.

HT Image
HT Image

Khan’s men first attacked SP's Rampur candidate Jayaprada's convoy. Then they pelted stones on the car of SP's Mumbai unit president Abu Azmi (54), who was campaigning for the 47-year-old actress-turned-politician and sitting Rajya Sabha MP.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Singh and Khan are locked in a bitter battle over Jayaprada's nomination. Singh is backing Jayaprada and is working extensively to ensure the former Bollywood star's victory in the election. Khan, on the other hand, has opposed her candidature and has vowed to pull the rug from under her feet. He said, "She was a good actress and a dancer but that does not necessarily make her a good MP.”

The Amar-Azam war has been going on for two months. It intensified last Thursday when Singh publicly denounced Khan at a rally in Dhakia.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had intervened and got the situation under control. On Friday, Singh said, “Azam Khan is a favourite of Mulayam Singhji. In spite of Khan’s intolerable utterances against me, I was silent. There is a limit to how much one can bear.”

“Khan has been trying to create problems for us. Enough is enough. The leadership should immediately take action against him,” Azmi said.

However, Khan declined the charges and told Hindustan Times over phone, "Criminals and mafia from Mumbai and Purvanchal have gathered in Rampur. They are least bothered about the rich culture and tradition of the city. They walk into Muslim houses without caring about the women within. The brewing anger of the people, who want to keep their pride and respect intact, culminated in Friday's attack."

Shocked at the violent tussle between party workers, Yadav told off Khan and warned him of disciplinary action after polling on May 13. The 70-year-old SP boss would arrive in Rampur on Saturday to deal with the situation himself.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On