Samajwadi Party veteran Azam Khan met party president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Friday, describing the meeting as a symbolic gesture of resilience and a call for justice and political change in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khan said, “The real intent of our meeting was to show that despite the oppression and historic injustice we faced, there still exist people whose endurance is stronger than stone or mountain.”

Accompanied by his son and former MLA Abdullah Azam, Khan noted that many of their supporters were still imprisoned. “When we meet, we remind each other of those painful times so that future generations remember that such injustice once took place,” he said.

Azam Khan recalls ‘injustice’ and misuse of agencies

Recently released after nearly two years in jail on multiple charges, including land grabbing and intimidation, Khan expressed gratitude to the media for what he termed a “change of perception.”

“Those who once misunderstood me now seem to realise that great injustice was done to us,” he remarked. He also recounted the Income Tax raids at his residence and Rampur’s Jauhar University, saying officials “used words that could make any decent person bow his head in shame.”

Khan urged for an end to the misuse of investigative agencies and said, “Until the political system improves and people understand what is truly happening, injustice will continue. But I sense change. Those who once opposed me now come to meet me, embrace me, and weep. That is a sign of transformation.”

Rejecting rumours that the Lucknow visit was linked to legal matters, Khan clarified, “There is no other reason. I came to meet Akhilesh Yadav and to send a message through you that we stand for change.”

A renewed bond within the Samajwadi Party

This meeting marks the second significant interaction between the two leaders in a month. On October 8, Akhilesh Yadav had visited Rampur, calling Khan a “strong pillar” of the Samajwadi Party and assuring that a future SP government would withdraw all false cases against him.

Azam Khan, a founding member of the Samajwadi Party and one of its senior-most leaders, has been a close aide of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav. Despite past speculation about a rift, Khan has consistently rejected any possibility of leaving the party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the people of Bihar for turning out in record numbers during the first phase of assembly elections, calling it a clear reflection of their faith in the BJP-led NDA government at both state and central levels. Speaking at a rally in Aurangabad, he highlighted the 64.66% voter turnout as the highest ever since Independence.

Bihar’s trust in double-engine growth, says PM

Addressing a massive gathering, PM Modi said, “People of Bihar have broken all records. Close to 65% of voting took place in the first phase. This shows that the youth, farmers, and women of Bihar are coming forward to bless the BJP-led NDA.”
He praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership for transforming the state and freeing regions like Aurangabad from years of Naxal violence. “This region was long afflicted with Maoist terror. After ‘Sushashan’ came under Nitish Kumar, the fear vanished, and people began to live freely again,” he added.

‘Fake promises’ warning to voters

The Prime Minister also cautioned voters against “fake promises” made by the opposition Mahagathbandhan, remarking that their return would mean “the comeback of katta sarkar.” He reminded the crowd of the BJP government’s record in fulfilling promises—from the construction of the Ram Mandir and abrogation of Article 370 to implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme for the armed forces.
PM Modi also referred to his past vow to avenge terror attacks, stating, “Didn’t our forces punish the perpetrators of Pahalgam attacks? Didn’t they retaliate against their wicked designs?”

By Rajiv Ranjan Singh 

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has initiated a thorough investigation into an alleged Rs 60-crore fraud case involving Best Deal Private Limited (BDPL), a company owned by businessman Raj Kundra. As part of the probe, the EOW has issued summons to a former employee of the company, seeking cooperation in the ongoing inquiry.

Sources said a forensic auditor is set to be appointed to scrutinize the financial transactions of BDPL and its affiliated firms. This move is aimed at verifying the authenticity of the company’s financial dealings and identifying potential discrepancies.

The EOW has already recorded statements from several former employees, including the company’s former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and former directors. These individuals are expected to provide crucial insights into the company’s financial operations and help investigators piece together the events surrounding the alleged fraud.

Kundra’s claim that Rs 20 crore was spent on office furnishing has raised eyebrows, and investigators are examining whether these expenses were legitimate business expenditures or an attempt to siphon off funds. The EOW is also probing whether employee salaries were paid through legitimate business income or undisclosed sources, and is cross-verifying details provided by former staff and directors to determine whether company funds were misused.

An accountant associated with Kundra’s firm has reportedly shared vital information with investigators, shedding light on potential irregularities in the company’s financial dealings. Officials are now tracing the flow of funds to identify how the alleged Rs 60-crore loan, reportedly taken from the complainant under the pretext of business investment, was utilized.

The probe team plans to question vendors, suppliers, and company representatives who had advertised through Kundra’s firm, as part of efforts to build a comprehensive picture of the company’s financial transactions. Payments made under Statement Media Solutions and SMS Logistics, both reportedly linked to Kundra and his actress wife Shilpa Shetty, are also under scrutiny.

As the investigation unfolds, the EOW may summon Raj Kundra again for further questioning if necessary, to clarify discrepancies and shed light on the alleged financial irregularities.