In a significant shake-up within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), leader Mayawati has expelled her nephew Akash Anand from the party once again. This decision follows his recent removal from the role of chief national coordinator. The expulsion comes shortly after Anand’s father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, announced his retirement from active politics. Despite earlier signals from Mayawati that Anand could be reinstated if Siddharth stepped down, she has now declared Anand completely free from any party responsibilities.
Mayawati has openly criticized both Siddharth and Anand, accusing them of prioritizing personal and family interests above the party’s goals and its commitment to the Ambedkarite movement. She questioned the sincerity behind Siddharth’s delayed retirement and raised doubts about Anand’s dedication to the BSP’s mission. This move marks another reversal for Anand, who was initially ousted as national coordinator in May 2024 amidst controversy during the Lok Sabha election campaign, only to be reinstated and reappointed in May 2025.
Recently, Mayawati expressed concerns over Anand’s maturity and readiness to manage significant organisational duties, underlining her decision to introduce her younger nephew, Ishan Anand, to senior party members. Akash Anand had been groomed as a potential successor to Mayawati for years, having been appointed national coordinator in 2019 and named her political heir in December 2023. His latest expulsion comes at a critical time as the BSP gears up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, following Anand’s recent public engagements at rallies in Hathras and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
At 70, Mayawati has reaffirmed her intention to continue leading the BSP, despite some voices within the party advocating for a transition to younger leadership. She remains committed to overseeing key aspects of the upcoming election, including candidate selection, campaign strategy, and fundraising efforts. This internal restructuring underscores the challenges the BSP faces as it prepares to navigate the political landscape in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.