The Samajwadi Party is yet to announce candidate for the Rampur constituency, turf of senior leader Azam Khan, although March 27 is the last day of filing nominations.
Khan has been in jail since October 2023 following conviction in a forgery case, following which he was disqualified from contesting elections.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had visited Khan in jail last week reportedly to “consult him” on Rampur and the surrounding seats. This was Yadav’s first visit with Khan since he was imprisoned. According to SP sources, reports The Indian Express, Khan requested Akhilesh to contest from Rampur, citing “special circumstances” in the seat.
The Samajwadi Party’s Rampur unit on Tuesday evening released a letter saying that it was “boycotting” the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
A total of eight Parliamentary constituencies, including Rampur, will vote in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls that votes on April 19.
The notification for the polls was issued on March 20, and March 27 was the last day of filing of nominations. The counting of votes will be on June 4, according to the Election Commission of India.