Uttar Pradesh: Azam Khan aide to contest on SP ticket for Rampur LS bypoll

RAMPUR: Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan has announced the name of his close aide Asim Raja as the party's candidate for the upcoming Rampur Lok Sabha bypoll.
Addressing a gathering in Rampur on Monday, Azam said, "Many thought my wife (Tazeen Fatimah) would contest. But we decided to set an example. So I chose my old aide, who has a very rich political experience." The 64-year-old candidate has been associated with Azam for almost 40 years, even before SP's existence.He has been the party's city president for nearly a decade.
Raja, who had contested civic polls in 1989, said, "I took part in many movements and protests along with Azam Khan and always stood by him during Parliament and assembly elections. In fact, there were moments when I was his chief poll agent."
He further said that he had surrendered before a local court in December last year, and was sent to jail after he was declared "wanted" by police in a case related to anti-CAA protests in 2019. Raja was later released on bail by a Rampur court.
The BJP has fielded former SP MLC Ghanshyam Lodhi while BSP and Congress have not put up any candidates for the Rampur contest. The bypoll was necessitated after Azam vacated the LS seat following his recent election win to the state assembly.
Monday's announcement by Azam came days after party president Akhilesh Yadav met the recently jailed leader at a Delhi hospital where he was undergoing treatment. They had also discussed candidates for the LS bypolls. Polling for UP's Rampur LS seat will take place on June 23. Counting is on June 26.