In Rampur, Moradabad, SP scrambles to clear air amid confusion over ‘authorised’ candidates

Confusion within the Samajwadi Party (SP) ranks was visible on Wednesday, the last day for filing nominations for phase 1 of the polls scheduled for April 19, when more than one party leader claimed to have filed nominations on the party’s symbol in the constituencies of Rampur and Moradabad. However, the SP claimed that the issue was resolved later.

The seats were among the five that the SP won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. That year, it had allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).

Issues came to a head in Rampur on Tuesday evening when the SP local cadre announced it was going to boycott the polls from the seat.

SP sources said that party supremo Akhilesh Yadav had visited Azam Khan, the now-jailed former MP from the seat, at the Sitapur prison on Friday. At the meeting, Khan had reportedly requested Yadav to contest from Rampur. The local cadre, which still owes allegiance to Khan, was expecting this would be the case.

However, come Wednesday, the SP leadership sprang a surprise when it sent party state president Naresh Uttar Patel to accompany Muslim cleric and debutant Mohibullah Nadvi to Rampur. Nadvi then filed his nomination papers.

After filing his nomination on the SP’s symbol, Nadvi said that Khan was his “well-wisher” and that he prayed for him.

Meanwhile, Asim Raja, who is among Khan’s closest confidants and had contested the bypoll in Rampur Lok Sabha seat in 2022, also filed his nomination.

“I have filed a nomination. If some maulana, or pandit has also filed, then it is their right. This is democracy. The nomination process is ongoing. Nothing is final. It will become clear who will contest,” Raja said.

Asked if he filed the nomination on Yadav’s instructions, Raja said, “Who else