Congress MP slams ED raid on Azaam Khan, calls it political vendetta
On August 19 in Saharanpur, Congress leader Imran Masood voiced sharp criticism of the Enforcement Directorate’s operation at Azaam Khan’s residences and at facilities linked to Jawahar University. He termed the action "unfortunate" and alleged that the central administration is exploiting investigative bodies to suppress dissent.
Masood argued that Azaam Khan has already been financially and politically weakened, yet the ED’s continued scrutiny signals a systematic attempt to target opposition figures.
He also cited the arrest of senior leader Satyendra Jain, indicating that the government rotates its focus among various opposition leaders, leaving little room for policy‑driven governance.
In addition, Masood condemned the government’s neglect of student‑related issues, especially the recurring leaks in the NEET examination process, stating that such negligence threatens the nation’s future generation.
Regarding Uttar Pradesh’s upcoming assembly polls, Masood stressed that the Congress and Samajwadi Party do not require a third‑party facilitator for seat‑sharing negotiations, asserting that the parties can resolve the matter internally without external meddling.
When asked if the Congress would contest the election alone should the Samajwadi Party refuse to share seats equally, Masood replied that the decision lies with the Congress leadership and warned against any premature bickering with Akhilesh Yadav.
On the BSP’s preparation, Masood said that ticket allocation follows a standard process, but he criticized the party’s pattern of expelling and later reinstating leaders, suggesting that the organization revolves around a limited group of senior figures.
He urged Mayawati to address the surge in Dalit oppression across the state, noting that Uttar Pradesh records a disproportionately high number of such incidents.
While refusing to claim that the entire Dalit community has turned away from Mayawati, Masood highlighted the Congress’s historic work for Dalit empowerment, invoking Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy and pointing to initiatives like land distribution and reservation in public services.
Masood also responded to a viral video that purportedly showed a heated confrontation with activist Ashu Malik. He clarified that the event was a calm discussion where all participants were invited to speak, and the clip was manipulated to create a misleading impression.