In a significant move within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), leader Mayawati has once again expelled her nephew, Akash Anand, 31, marking his second ousting from the party. This decision comes shortly after his removal as the chief national coordinator, despite previous indications that he could return to an organizational role upon his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth’s retirement from active politics. However, following Siddharth’s recent retirement announcement, Mayawati has declared Anand completely disengaged from the BSP, relieving him of all responsibilities.
Mayawati has been vocal in her criticism of Anand and Siddharth, accusing them of prioritizing personal and familial interests over the party’s agenda and its Ambedkarite movement. She pointed to Siddharth’s delayed decision to retire as evidence of unchanged intentions, raising questions about Anand’s dedication to the BSP. The latest expulsion reflects a series of setbacks for Anand, who was first removed from his role as national coordinator in May 2024 amid controversy over comments during the Lok Sabha election campaign. Although he was reinstated and reappointed as chief national coordinator in May 2025, his position has once again been retracted.
Mayawati recently remarked that Anand lacks the maturity necessary for significant organizational duties. Concurrently, she has introduced her younger nephew Ishan Anand to senior party leaders, potentially signaling a shift in her approach to party succession. Anand had been groomed for leadership over several years, having been appointed national coordinator in 2019 and named Mayawati’s political heir in December 2023. His expulsion arrives as the BSP gears up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, following Anand’s recent political engagements in Hathras and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Despite internal calls for a younger leadership within the BSP, Mayawati, at 70, remains steadfast in her commitment to lead the party. She has reiterated her intention to oversee candidate selection, manage the election campaign, and spearhead fundraising efforts for the upcoming 2027 polls. The decision to expel Anand underscores Mayawati’s determination to maintain her leadership and steer the party through the forthcoming electoral challenges.