There is mourning in the entire Azamgarh due to the demise of Samajwadi Party MLA Alambadi Azmi. There are very few public representatives whose death saddens every community and people are expressing their grief irrespective of political ideology. Alambadi Azmi was one such MLA. He previously won from Nizamabad seat of Azamgarh in 1996 and 2002. Then in 2007 he had to lose to the BSP candidate. But it was his simplicity and popularity that he was continuously elected as MLA in 2012, 2017 and 2022. Due to illness for a few days, he was treated in Lucknow. After this he was sent home. He died on Wednesday night. 92 year old Alambadi Azmi was a very popular MLA of the district. Alambadi Azmi was one of those leaders who remained dead honest throughout his life. He never asked for anything for himself from the government.
Unique combination of simplicity and humility
While narrating the stories of his humility, Manish Tiwari said, I still remember a rainy day exactly. He entered the CMO’s chamber in a flushed mood. Coincidentally, I was also sitting there and it was raining heavily. There was the same old attitude in the MLA’s voice, Doctor Saheb! I had asked to send an ambulance to such and such place. Half an hour passed and the ambulance had not yet arrived. What the heck is going on?” The atmosphere of the room turned into complete silence. Coincidentally, while reaching office at the same time, I had seen the same ambulance going in that direction. I gathered courage and said softly, Sir… probably the ambulance must have reached there.
Just saying this made him frown further. Perhaps they thought I was making light of the matter. He dialed the phone at that very moment and wanted to verify what I said. The reply came from there, Sir, the ambulance has reached. His face changed in a moment. The same man whose anger was hitting the walls of the room, without wasting a moment folded both his hands and said – Doctor Sahib! I made a mistake. Please forgive me. That day, all of us who were sitting in the chamber were embarrassed by him apologizing with folded hands. Because we were not looking at an MLA, but at a big person.
doors open for everyone
Manish ji says, power at that time belonged to his own party. His stature was so great that people used to think ten times before speaking in front of him. But if the mistake turns out to be one’s own, neither ego nor pride of position is left. It did not take him even a moment to apologize. Such scenes are rare in politics today. There was no pretense in his politics. Whenever a road was built, he would set out to see it himself. Contractors used to think a hundred times before working in their area, because there the quality of work was considered, not the commission. Were scolded for wrongdoing, and sometimes had to hear his famous words – Dishonest sly! No one would return from his door empty-handed. But if the advocacy was wrong, that door would be the first to be closed, not only would the work that was to be done get eclipsed.
Wednesday night made Azamgarh sad
Wednesday night gave a huge blow to the residents of Azamgarh. Everyone became saddened by the news of Aalambadi Azmi’s demise. The MLA died at his residence in Kurmi Tola in the city. He was born on 16 March 1936 in village Bindawal tehsil Sagdi. His father’s name was Badiuzzama, who was posted as a teacher in Mian Saheb George Islamia Inter College, Gorakhpur. Alambadi Azmi did diploma in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Technical Institute Gorakhpur in 1956. He completed his 12th standard education from Islamia College, Gorakhpur in 1953. Alambadi Azmi has 6 sons Shahzad Alam, Shadab Alam, Siraj Alam, Intijab Alam, Danish Alam and Mustafa Alam. They had a daughter Nausheen Alam who died in 1993.
Mulayam Singh Yadav gave the stage
Rajesh Giri, leader of Samajwadi Party in Azamgarh, told that Alambadi Azmi Saheb was among those people whom Netaji (late Mulayam Singh Yadav) caught and brought with him. Before joining SP in 1992, Alambadi Azmi was in Muslim League politics. Stories of his popularity and honesty were common even then. But he could not become a public representative. That’s why Netaji brought him into SP and made him win the MLA election in 1996. Although the Muslim population in Nizamabad seat is sufficient, no leader can win on the basis of his community alone. Mulayam Singh Yadav gave him a broad platform. Both Hindus and Muslims used to vote for SP. Alambadi Azmi Saheb got the benefit of this and became MLA. After this he climbed the stairs of success with his honesty and simplicity.
Aalambadi Azmi was born in the village of Maulana Shibli.
Rajesh Giri told that Alambadi Azmi, born in Maulana Shibli’s village Bindawal, was bright in studies. Because of Maulana Shibli, there was competition among the Muslims of Azamgarh to get higher education. That’s why Alambadi Azmi also studied engineering. But his passion for social work was so high that even if he saw any red tape anywhere, he would start protesting. This activism remained within him throughout his life. He did not earn any money. Always worked for everyone, whether Hindu or Muslim. That is why he was popular with everyone. So much simplicity that this MLA dressed in folded kurta and pajama was present at every call. Sometimes he would come riding on his Bolero and sometimes on foot or bicycle. In today’s times when every MLA carries a police force with him, Aalambadi Azmi would remain without any security.
The last public leader in the line of Hannan Mollah
He used to say that his people are his security. Every MLA compulsorily gets a gunner, he too is often discharged. They say, go home, rest. His simplicity and honesty can be compared with Hannan Mollah, the CPM MP from Ulbediya near Howrah. Who never took security and always wore undressed kurta-pajama and slippers and was present in everyone’s work. Hannan Mollah was one of those MPs who every time opposed the proposal to increase the salaries and allowances of MPs. He was even against the pension of public representatives. Such popular and always committed public representatives are now coming to an end. Alambadi Azmi Saheb was among such people. Salute to their memories!
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