The script for the formal return of Mr Azam Khan to the Samajwadi Party has been finalised.
The Mushawarat Council set up by Mr Khan has said that his return to the Samajwadi fold was in the “larger interests of the Muslim community”.
According to party sources, the script for his return gives him an “honourable” opportunity and upholds his self-respect.
“Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav will first greet Mr Khan on Bakrid on November 17. He may even go to Mr Khan’s house in Rampur if his health permits. Then Mr Khan will formally visit the party office in Lucknow on November 22 to greet Mr Yadav on the latter’s birthday. And this will mark his formal return to the party,” said a senior leader who has been holding talks with both the leaders.
Mr Khan was expelled from the party in May last year when he ferociously opposed the candidature of Ms Jaya Prada in Rampur, following irreconcilable differences with Mr Amar Singh.
After the expulsion of Mr Amar Singh from SP in January this year, the return of Mr Khan was taken for granted. Mr Khan had publicly asked Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav to apologise to Muslims for having allied with former BJP leader Kalyan Singh and Mr Yadav lost not in doing so.
His expulsion was finally revoked on November 3 but Mr Khan had sought ten days time and said he would consult his Mushawarat Council before taking the final call from the Samajwadi Party.
“All roadblocks have been cleared and we have decided that it is in all our interests that Mr Khan should return to the SP,” said a member of the Mushawarat Council.