New Delhi:
The Samajwadi Party today moved a step closer to bringing Azam Khan back into the party fold a year after he was expelled, with party chief Mulyam Singh Yadav saying that he has accepted Khan's "demands".
"His return into party is final now...he could be with us within a few hours or a few days," Mulayam Singh Yadav told reporters in New Delhi.
He also offered to nominate Khan as Leader of the Opposition in UP legislative assembly.
While Khan's expulsion from the SP was revoked recently, it is for the first time that the SP chief has openly announced his return into the party fold.
Khan, a founder member of SP, had revolted after the party joined hands with former BJP leader Kalyan Singh and renominated Rampur MP Jayaprada in the Lok Sabha elections last year.
Initially, Yadav had tried to persuade Khan to stop his rebellion but took action against him after the then SP national general secretary Amar Singh threatened to quit over Khan's tirade against him and Jayaprada.
Later, Singh and Jayaprada too were expelled in February for "anti-party activities".
Mulayam's announcement came a day after members of 'mushwarat council' -- an outfit comprising Khan's supporters -- met him to hand over a letter written by him.
In his letter, Khan said the past episodes should be forgotten as a "nightmare" and they should strive hard for a "better tomorrow".
Yadav indicated that SP was willing to nominate Khan as Leader of the Opposition in UP legislative assembly.
"Shivpal Yadav (Mulayam's younger brother) has already offered to step down in his favour...he did the right thing," Yadav said.
Yadav said the council members had handed over seven suggestions made by Khan. Khan has himself termed the suggestions as his "charter of demands".
"The suggestions are good and acceptable to us," Yadav said adding that they relate to Muslims, farmers and the Samajwadi movement.
"His return into party is final now...he could be with us within a few hours or a few days," Mulayam Singh Yadav told reporters in New Delhi.
He also offered to nominate Khan as Leader of the Opposition in UP legislative assembly.
While Khan's expulsion from the SP was revoked recently, it is for the first time that the SP chief has openly announced his return into the party fold.
Khan, a founder member of SP, had revolted after the party joined hands with former BJP leader Kalyan Singh and renominated Rampur MP Jayaprada in the Lok Sabha elections last year.
Initially, Yadav had tried to persuade Khan to stop his rebellion but took action against him after the then SP national general secretary Amar Singh threatened to quit over Khan's tirade against him and Jayaprada.
Later, Singh and Jayaprada too were expelled in February for "anti-party activities".
Mulayam's announcement came a day after members of 'mushwarat council' -- an outfit comprising Khan's supporters -- met him to hand over a letter written by him.
In his letter, Khan said the past episodes should be forgotten as a "nightmare" and they should strive hard for a "better tomorrow".
Yadav indicated that SP was willing to nominate Khan as Leader of the Opposition in UP legislative assembly.
"Shivpal Yadav (Mulayam's younger brother) has already offered to step down in his favour...he did the right thing," Yadav said.
Yadav said the council members had handed over seven suggestions made by Khan. Khan has himself termed the suggestions as his "charter of demands".
"The suggestions are good and acceptable to us," Yadav said adding that they relate to Muslims, farmers and the Samajwadi movement.
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