Lucknow:
Senior Samajwadi party leader Azam Khan skipped Uttar Pradesh’s meeting for the second day in a row on Tuesday, amid growing speculation about a rift between him and party chairman Akhilesh Yadav.
Mr Khan had left Monday without attending the house’s proceedings after being sworn in as a member of the house in the chamber of Chairman Satish Mahan.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Mr Khan said: “I did not attend the House sessions because my health was not good.”
The budget session of the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Monday started off stormy with MLAs from the Samajwadi party rushing to the well of the house and shouting slogans during the governor’s speech. The state budget will be presented on May 26.
Mr Khan was released on bail from Sitapur prison, where he was held on several charges, including land grab.
Khan’s recent meeting with Shivpal Singh Yadav also sparked rumors of the split.
“Shivpal is my companion. I have also met him on previous occasions. I don’t think there is anything wrong with meeting him. It was just a courtesy meeting,” Mr Khan told reporters.
Mr Khan had met Shivpal Yadav, the founder of Pragatiseel Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL), at his residence on Monday evening.
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