Akhilesh Yadav’s Rampur Outreach: Sympathy Politics or Strategic Recalibration?
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
Rampur: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s much-anticipated visit to senior leader Azam Khan’s residence in Rampur on Wednesday has stirred fresh political chatter across Uttar Pradesh.
The meeting — their first in person since Khan’s release from jail late last month — lasted for over two hours and has been interpreted as a calculated move to revive the SP’s traditional Muslim-Yadav alliance, which once defined its political supremacy in the state.
However, beneath the surface of camaraderie and reconciliation lies a deeper political motive. Akhilesh’s visit appears to be more than a mere gesture of goodwill; it is a deliberate attempt to reposition the SP narrative around victimhood, loyalty, and resistance to political persecution.
Reclaiming the Sympathy Card
Akhilesh’s declaration following the meeting — that all “fake cases” lodged against Azam Khan would be withdrawn once the SP forms the government in 2027 — was not just a statement of support, but a clear political signal.
By portraying Azam as a victim of political vendetta under the current BJP regime, Akhilesh seems to be tapping into a potent emotional undercurrent among Muslim voters who have long viewed Khan’s incarceration as emblematic of their own marginalisation.
Observers say this is a classic sympathy-building exercise aimed at galvanising a fragmented electorate. “Akhilesh is trying to project Azam Khan as a symbol of political injustice — a leader wronged for standing up to power,” said political analyst Rajendra Kumar.
“This narrative can reignite emotional loyalty among SP’s core base, especially in western Uttar Pradesh, where the party has suffered major setbacks.”
Indeed, Azam’s prolonged imprisonment on multiple charges — many of which his supporters insist were politically motivated — had created disillusionment among Muslim voters who felt the SP leadership had abandoned one of their own.
Akhilesh’s decision to personally travel to Rampur is, therefore, being seen as a conscious attempt to reclaim that lost trust and to reassure the community that their concerns remain central to the SP’s identity.
Healing Old Wounds, Rebuilding Old Equations
For months, speculation had persisted about Azam Khan’s strained relationship with the SP’s top brass. Once considered the party’s most influential Muslim voice, Khan had distanced himself from active politics following his incarceration, and his supporters accused the leadership of failing to defend him.
By choosing to meet Khan one-on-one — reportedly on Khan’s terms, without other SP leaders present — Akhilesh acknowledged both the fragility and importance of that relationship.
Party insiders confirm that the meeting was intended to “reset” personal and political equations, bridging the gap between SP’s new leadership style and its old guard.
“This visit was not just emotional; it was strategic,” said a senior SP functionary. “Akhilesh understands that the road to Lucknow in 2027 cannot be paved without bringing Azam Khan back into the fold — both symbolically and organizationally.”
The Larger Political Chessboard
The timing of the meeting is equally telling. After a mixed performance in the Lok Sabha and bypolls, and amid visible cracks in the INDIA bloc alliance, Akhilesh is recalibrating SP’s independent strength.
By publicly reconnecting with a powerful Muslim leader like Azam Khan, he aims to consolidate minority votes that have been drifting toward the BSP and smaller regional outfits.
Dr. Arvind Shukla, a political commentator at Lucknow University, notes that “Muslim voters in UP have been feeling politically orphaned.”
The BJP’s polarisation politics, combined with Mayawati’s subtle outreach to Muslim leaders, has unsettled the SP’s old vote arithmetic. “Re-engaging Azam Khan helps Akhilesh reassert that the SP remains the primary political platform for the community,” Shukla said.
A Calculated Optic of Unity
For Azam Khan, the meeting was equally significant. While his influence may have waned, his moral authority within Rampur and neighbouring districts remains intact. His re-emergence in SP politics could act as a rallying point for minority voters who view him as a symbol of defiance against state repression.
By appearing together, Akhilesh and Azam are not just sending a message to their supporters — they are also challenging the BJP’s narrative that the opposition is fractured and directionless.
The visit, therefore, serves a dual purpose: to project internal unity within SP and to counter the perception that Akhilesh has moved away from his father’s traditional brand of coalition politics rooted in caste and community alliances.
Back to Basics: Reuniting the M-Y Combine
Akhilesh’s Rampur outreach signals a clear shift back to the fundamentals of the SP’s electoral strategy — rebuilding the Yadav-Muslim axis that delivered power in the 1990s and early 2000s.
While the political landscape has evolved, the emotional resonance of this alliance still carries weight, particularly in western and central UP.
Political scientist Nomita P. Kumar of Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow, interprets the meeting as “a reminder that Akhilesh cannot afford to alienate either community if he wishes to return to power.”
She adds, “The symbolism of Rampur is powerful — it represents resistance, loyalty, and revival all at once.”
Conclusion: Politics of Reclamation
In essence, Akhilesh Yadav’s meeting with Azam Khan is not just a reunion between two senior party figures — it’s a carefully choreographed political act aimed at reclaiming sympathy, restoring faith, and rebuilding a fractured base.
By framing Azam Khan as a victim of political persecution and by positioning himself as a leader who stands by his own, Akhilesh is attempting to rewrite the narrative of the SP as a party that protects its loyalists and resists authoritarian overreach.
Whether this translates into electoral gains remains uncertain, but what is clear is that Rampur has once again become the theatre where the SP’s revival script is being rehearsed — with emotion, strategy, and symbolism intertwined.
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