Azad is aligned with INDIA bloc, says SP member
spokesperson Udaiveer Singh on Thursday.
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"He is a young leader from the exploited, oppressed, and deprived sections of society. He has worked hard and struggled even harder to reach his current political stature. The decline of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the state also came as a blessing in disguise for him," said Singh, a former SP MLC.
He stressed the need for political clarity, especially in the current scenario. "I don't see him taking a well-defined and categorical political line," Singh said, adding, "The issue is, when any leader gets close to the
, the party exploits their political utility in such a way that it eventually becomes a problem for that leader."
"Ideologically, Azad is close to us because he represents the section of the population the Samajwadi Party identifies with. But for all practical purposes, he doesn't seem to be standing with the opposition," Singh told TOI. He also pointed to BJP's political approach, raising questions over why no action has been taken against Azad by the BJP-led govt despite his visits to areas typically restricted for other political leaders.
"This leaves some questions unanswered," he said. However, Singh was quick to clarify that his remarks were his personal opinion and "should not be seen as the party's official line."
Udaiveer, one of SP's most senior spokespersons, said it would be premature to draw definitive conclusions about Azad's alleged proximity to the BJP. "Let's wait and see how things unfold in the coming days," he said. His remarks come at a time when political parties in UP are beginning to prepare for the 2027 assembly polls, marking the beginning of early positioning and strategic alignments.
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