Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan contesting election from Rampur created stir in political circles by comparing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ravana. Azam Khan however did not name the prime minister.
Addressing election meeting in Rampur Azam Khan said on Sunday that ``the King who rules over 125 crore Indians goes to lucknow to burn the effigy of Ravana but he forgets that the real Ravana is not in lucknow but lives in Delhi’’. He also took a jibe over the life style of the prime minister saying `` what is the source of money of the tea vendor for the costly garments who has spent Rs 80 crore in a year on his clothing’s alone and in next five years he is likely to spent Rs 200 crore on his clothing’s alone’’.
Without naming the prime minister Azam Khan said `` his father was a tea vendor , so he should explains the sources of the costly garments he wears and he owes an explanation to the people, of the country’’. Azam Khan also made some personal comments on the private life of the prime minister. He also criticised the prime minister for visiting Pakistan and sending gifts for the mother of the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
SP leader also cautioned the people against voting for the Bahujan Samaj party. He said `` none can save you if the elephant (election symbol of the BS) goes berserk, if you fall from the cycle (election symbol of the SP) then you will only suffer from minor injuries.
later in lucknow SP spokesman Naved Siddiqui defended Azam Khan saying that he did not name any person or leader during his address in the elections meeting. ``The statement of Azam Khan is being misinterpreted and he did not name anybody. The sole agenda of the Samajwadi party is the development of the state. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has very positive mindset and prefers to speak on the agenda of the party’’.