Mulayam brings Azam Khan back into fold

LUCKNOW - Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav Wednesday revoked the expulsion of the party’s most prominent Muslim face, Azam Khan.

This was communicated to Khan in a letter by party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav.

Khan told reporters: “This is just an informal letter that I have received. I believe a formal decision on the issue has to be taken by the party’s disciplinary committee.”

Khan was expelled from the party after Lok Sabha polls last year, following his differences with Mulayam Singh Yadav over the party chiefs bonhomie with expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kalyan Singh.

Khans repeated criticism of the then party general secretary Amar Singh also did not go down well with Mulayam Singh Yadav, who eventually showed him the door.

“I am extremely happy to inform you that SP (Samajwadi Party) national president Mulayam Singh Yadav has revoked your expulsion from the party,” said Ram Gopals letter.

We request you to resume serving the party as you did in the past,” the letter said.

Known for his proximity to the party chief since the early days of the SP, Khan had emerged as the Muslim face of the party whose rise was attributed to its Muslim support base.

When asked if he had made up his mind to sink his differences with Mulayam Singh Yadav, Khan said: Some problems have already passed off.”

He was apparently referring to the expulsion of Amar Singh from the party and Mulayam Singh Yadavs severing ties with Kalyan Singh.