Uttar Pradesh politics witnessed a major development on Thursday as Samajwadi Party (SP) national president and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reached the Rampur district jail to meet former minister Azam Khan. Akhilesh Yadav met Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam inside the prison premises. Following the jail meeting, he proceeded to Azam Khan's residence to meet his wife Tanzeem Fatima and elder son Adeeb. This high-profile meeting between Akhilesh Yadav and Azam Khan is considered politically significant given the current political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
Timeline of the Rampur Visit
Akhilesh Yadav arrived in Rampur to meet Azam Khan on Thursday, entering the jail premises at approximately 1 hour 42 minutes in the afternoon. Prior to this, his helicopter landed at the helipad built on the premises of Jauhar University at around half-past one. Azam Khan's wife Tanzeem Fatima, elder son Adeeb, and several local SP leaders welcomed him at the helipad. Following the warm reception, Akhilesh Yadav departed by car directly for the district jail under strict observation.
Third Meeting Within a Year
This visit marks the third time Akhilesh Yadav has met Azam Khan within the span of one year, while previously, on October 9, 2025, Akhilesh Yadav had visited Rampur to hold a closed-door meeting with Azam Khan that lasted for about two hours. Later, in November 2025, Azam Khan along with his son Abdullah Azam traveled to Lucknow to meet Akhilesh Yadav, where Azam Khan stated that he had come to share his tale of hardship and pain. Now, on October 22, 2026, Akhilesh Yadav has once again visited Rampur to meet Azam Khan in jail, along with plans to visit his family at their residence. It's notable that two months prior, senior SP leader Shivpal Yadav had also visited the Rampur jail to meet Azam Khan and Abdullah, subsequently visiting his home to meet Tanzeem Fatima.
Imprisonment in Pan Card Case
Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam are currently lodged in the Rampur district jail in connection with a pan card forgery case. A special MP-MLA court had sentenced both father and son to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in this matter. Azam Khan has filed an appeal against the conviction in the High Court and is awaiting legal relief. Following their previous meetings, Akhilesh Yadav had lauded Azam Khan as a foundational and veteran leader of the Samajwadi Party, describing him as a massive banyan tree who has always stood firmly with the organization through thick and thin, emphasizing that this is a collective battle.
Security Arrangements and Political Reactions
Anticipating Akhilesh Yadav's arrival, massive crowds of supporters gathered around Azam Khan's residence, the SP district office, and the district jail. Extensive security measures were implemented with multiple police teams deployed under the leadership of the Circle Officer (CO City), alongside fire brigade units stationed at the spot. Posters welcoming Akhilesh Yadav were prominently displayed across Rampur, while ahead of his visit, Congress MP Imran Masood also issued a statement remarking that Azam Khan is a leader of their alliance and that Akhilesh Yadav's visit to meet him is a step in the right direction.