At a time when Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav government were on back foot after Muzaffarnagar riots, the SP rally known as “Desh Bachao Desh Banao rally” is appearing as a turning point for party leaders. Significantly enough, the focus of the rally was on forging unity of farmers and Muslims. Instead of projecting as backward rally, a shrewd Mulayam Singh Yadav talked about inclusive politics.

It would be worth mentioning here that Azamgarh, which is part of eastern UP, is very special to Mulayam Singh Yadav. That is why he decided to launch party’s campaign for 2014 Lok Sabha polls from there. The party did well in Azamgarh in 2012 assembly polls when SP got nine out of 10 assembly seats. Samajwadi Party wants to retain its hold in eastern UP as the party had won over 100 seats out of total 172 seats in this region.

Significantly, eastern UP has over 40 per cent backwards and 12 per Muslims and Mulayam Singh Yadav wants to cash on the combination in his favour. That is why Mulayam played backward card when he said his party’s government had given reservation to 17 most backwards castes. It may be noted that BSP government had cancelled the reservation to these castes. Mulayam Singh Yadav also realizes the importance of the region as it sends 27 members on Lok Sabha out of total 80 from UP.

In order to win back Muslims especially after Muzaffarnagar riots, Mulayam Singh Yadav brought back Mohd Azam Khan to rally. Senior cabinet minister Mohd Azam khan who was considered the Muslim face of the party was maintaining distance from the governmental work and party as he was not happy the way Muzaffarnagar riots were handled by the government and hew as critical of the situation.

But Mulayam Singh Yadav realizes that at time when Muslims were not happy with the party and government after Muzaffarnagar riots it was important to bring back Mohd Azam Khan. Mulayam knows that it was very important to win back Muslims who played very important role in getting majority to SP in 2012 assembly polls.

As expected Mohd Azam Khan attacked Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who is being projected as PM candidate by the BJP. Azam Khan also attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for talking about alleged recruitment of Muslims in Muzaffarnagar after riots by ISI.

He also blamed UPA government in general and Congress in particular for delay in passing of Communal Violence bill in Parliament. The whole idea about attack on Modi and Rahul by Mulayam and Azam is to sell the idea to Muslims that only SP alone could fight BJP and Modi. SP cannot afford the split in Muslim votes in Lok Sabha polls. As a part of damage control Mohd Azam Khan gave certificate to Mulayam Singh Yadav as true secular and the only well wisher of Muslims.

Enthused by the massive turn out at the Azamgarh rally, party spokesman Rajendra Choudhry announced that party would organize similar rallies in Bareilly, Jhansi and Allahabad in the month of November.

Since Mulayam talked about third front a number of times during his speech and he is constantly talking about importance of forming third front, it is expected that left leaders may also be invited to speak in future rallies in the state. (IPA Service)