Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav has labelled party general secretary Azam Khan a ‘rebel’ and, for the first time, openly charged him with indulging in anti-party activities. Mulayam’s stern stance at a rally in Rampur on Saturday has sparked off speculation that he might expel Azam Khan as soon as elections get over on Wednesday next.

“I have always trusted Azam Khan... he is one of the founding members of the party. But now my trust has been broken,” Mulayam said at the election meeting in support of the party’s Rampur candidate and cine star Jaya Prada. Azam is opposed to her candidature and has even given out a call to ensure her defeat. “I have declared Jaya Prada as the candidate from Rampur. Then why is Azam Khan opposing her. He should come out and campaign for her.”

Meanwhile, Azam Khan made matters worse by lodging a report with the police saying that Jaya supporters had arrived in a hostel with greenbags to bribe the voters. The police raid however, did not yield anything.

At the rally, Azam was expectedly missing from the dais. Azam replied to Mulayam’s statements, saying: “I am deeply hurt by what Mulayam has said about me.” However, he said that he would not leave the party. “Mulayam is my elder brother. I have all the respect for him.”