UP CM Akhilesh downplays ongoing row over Azam Khan's resignation

Kanpur/New Delhi, July 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday made an attempt to downplay the issue over senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan offering to resign, and termed the entire episode to be a hype created by the media.

"Don't talk about it today because I don't have time. There is no issue as such. No one is upset. Newspapers are unnecessarily hyping the issue," Akhilesh told mediapersons in Kanpur.

Azam Khan, who is the Urban Development and Minorities Welfare Minister in the Uttar Pradesh Government, on his part said there is no reason to be upset.

"When we work together, we keep on advising each other. As very senior minister, it is my responsibility to point towards those matters, which are confusing. It is not a matter to be upset. If we don't talk with each other, then how will the government work," said Khan.

Khan, who held the additional charge of overseeing the development of Ghaziabad, Muzzafarnagar and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, is miffed with the Akhilesh's decision to take away an important district, Meerut, from his charge. He was also responsible for development projects in these districts.

"These three districts were under my charge from the time of 'netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav). When the new list came out, I found that Meerut was no more under my charge. I found it very inappropriate," he said.

Yadav, who was interacting with mediapersons in New Delhi, also expressed his ire over the person who leaked his confidential letter written to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

"Whoever has leaked this letter, be it anybody, has not done right with the party and the government. These issues are not to be leaked," he said.

According to reports, Azam Khan has in his letter to Akhilesh Yadav said if he was not capable of being the minister in-charge of Meerut district, he was willing to step down as a cabinet minister.

Khan, who is one of the founding members of the Samajwadi Party, has also been the powerful Muslim face of the party. (ANI)