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Azam Khan resigns as SP general secretary

Last Updated 17 May 2009, 10:47 IST

Khan, who was also involved in a feud with party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh on Jaya Prada's candidature from Rampur, took the decision a day after the 47-year-old cine star won the Lok Sabha polls.Khan announced his decision in Rampur, skipping the SP parliamentary board meeting in Delhi."I was one of the few mentors of the establishment after the emergency and I would continue to struggle with all my might to keep the party free from the clutches of the so-called socialist leaders, who were conspiring to tarnish the socialist and secular image of the party," he said.

Khan stuck to his stand that SP's friendship with Kalyan Singh has done damage to the party. "The entire Muslim community is angry over the friendship on Mulayam Singh Yadav with Kalyan Singh. I will continue my opposition in this regard till Kalyan Singh is thrown out."

Khan said "due to Kalyan Singh's influence, not a single Muslim candidate of the party could win in UP. As far as Jayaprada's victory is concerned, it was due to the fact that communal elements from both communities were brought on a single platform, a practice which should not be a part of secular campaigning."
Party sources in Delhi said disciplinary action against Khan was being contemplated. Khan was accused of campaigning against Jaya Prada during the run up to the polls.
The rebel leader has not been attending any of the parliamentary board meetings in the last six months.
Amar Singh sought to downplay his differences with Khan, saying there was "no misunderstanding" between them.
"Azam Khan is my elder brother. I can't ignore his contribution for the party" he said.However, Singh said "Azam Khan should have expressed his displeasure during the parliamentary board meeting and should not have gone public over any issue".

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(Published 17 May 2009, 10:30 IST)

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