In a noteworthy political maneuver, Akhilesh Yadav, the national president of the Samajwadi Party, has appointed Surendra Singh Sagar, a former minister of state from the Bahujan Samaj Party, as the state secretary in Rampur. This appointment is seen as a direct challenge to the long-standing influence of Azam Khan, who has traditionally held sway in the region. The decision comes in the backdrop of Azam Khan's absence, and it is perceived as being made without consulting him, which is generating controversy among party ranks. This marks a departure from the previous norm where no significant decisions were made in Rampur without Azam Khan's agreement.