Azmi entered politics and in 1995, under his leadership, the Samajwadi Party (SP) won two seats in the Maharashtra state assembly.
In 2004, entering his first election cycle, Azmi was defeated by Yogesh Patil of the Shiv Sena from Bhiwandi constituency.
[citation needed] Azmi has secured three consecutive wins in his Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Constituency from 2009 to 2024.
Following the trial in the Shakti Mills gang rape and in the aftermath of the comments made by then SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Azmi told Mid-Day, "Any woman if, whether married or unmarried, goes along with a man, with or without her consent, should be hanged.
[5] MNS chief and leader Raj Thackeray heavily lambasted Azmi and Mulayam Singh Yadav for their comments and anti-women views while appearing on Aap Ki Adalat.
[7][8] Azmi again drew headlines during a debate on raising legal age of marriage for women for suggesting men to not be along with their daughters at home as the "devil" may descend on them.
The shaitan (devil) might take over your spirits….we have been witnessing many cases of rape committed by cousin brothers and fathers…this is what our ancestors have told us,” he explained.