‘Vindictive politics’: SP hits out at BJP over ED raids on Azam Khan-linked locations

The Enforcement Directorate searched 10 locations linked to jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, including Jauhar University and its trust, over alleged money laundering and diversion of government funds. The SP and Congress accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of political vendetta against Khan

Lucknow: As the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided several locations linked to senior Samajwadi Party (SP) jailed leader Azam Khan on Wednesday, the party criticised the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, stating that it has “nothing left” to offer the public, and hence is resorting to “harassing” people associated with the previous governments.

This came as the ED carried out searches in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur and Saharanpur and Delhi in connection with Azam Khan on Wednesday.

---

Ten locations, including the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and its trust, were searched as part of the case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party engages in vindictive politics. It has nothing of its own to offer. Whenever it comes to power, it pursues vindictive politics against previous governments.” He accused the State government of lacking original ideas for public welfare and destroying the schemes that were introduced by SP National President Akhilesh Yadav when he was the Chief Minister.

“Look at Uttar Pradesh; no major work has been done in the last 11 years. They are replacing plaques at Samajwadi Party projects and putting the BJP’s name on them, harassing Azam Khan in Rampur, and destroying Akhilesh Yadav’s schemes,” he said. “The BJP has nothing left to offer the country, which is why it is harassing people associated with previous governments,” the SP spokesperson stated.

According to the officials, the raids are aimed at tracing proceeds of crime, along with digital evidence, documents, and financial records connected to the diversion and utilisation of government funds. Uttar Pradesh Congress also criticised the ED raids and claimed that this was being done to target the jailed SP leader.

UP Congress President Ajay Rai said, “It is done to target and weaken Azam Khan.” Azam Khan is currently serving a sentence in Rampur Jail alongside his son, Abdullah Azam. The controversy over Jauhar University erupted after the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) flagged multiple violations inside the varsity, claiming that 38 out of 40 buildings were made without necessary approvals.

The RDA had also asked the university to remove them on its own within a time frame, failing which the district administration will step in to raze them. The order to demolish 38 buildings at Jauhar University caused a political upheaval. In late July, the Uttar Pradesh government’s Divisional Commissioner stayed, for now, the demolition order issued against 38 campus buildings by the District Magistrate of Rampur. While the Samajwadi Party openly entered the political battle over the issue, uncertainty surrounding the future of Jauhar University continues.