In a significant move, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati has once again ousted her nephew, Akash Anand, 31, from the party. This action comes shortly after he was removed from his role as the chief national coordinator. Anand’s departure coincides with the retirement of his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, from active politics. Despite Siddharth stepping down, which Mayawati had suggested might pave the way for Anand’s return to an organizational role, she has now declared Anand entirely free from the BSP and relieved of all his party duties.
Mayawati has openly criticized Siddharth and Anand, accusing them of prioritizing personal and family interests over the party’s principles and its Ambedkarite movement. She questioned the genuineness of Siddharth’s intentions due to his delayed retirement and expressed doubts about Anand’s dedication to the BSP. Anand has faced several setbacks in his political journey; he was initially removed as national coordinator in May 2024 following a controversy during the Lok Sabha election campaign and was no longer considered Mayawati’s political successor. Although he was reinstated and reappointed as chief national coordinator in May 2025, the recent expulsion marks another reversal in his political career.
Mayawati recently expressed that Anand still lacks the necessary maturity to manage significant organizational duties, and she has introduced her younger nephew, Ishan Anand, to the party’s senior leaders. Akash Anand had been considered Mayawati’s potential successor for several years. He was appointed national coordinator in 2019 and officially named her political heir in December 2023. Despite these roles, his recent removal occurs at a crucial time as the BSP gears up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. Anand had been active in the party’s campaign efforts, addressing rallies in regions like Hathras and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
As the BSP navigates its future leadership dynamics, Mayawati, at 70, remains steadfast in her position as the party’s leader. There have been internal calls for a younger leadership within the BSP, yet Mayawati insists on maintaining her role. She is set to oversee the candidate selection process, the election campaign, and the fundraising activities for the upcoming 2027 election, signaling her continued influence and control over the party’s strategic direction.
