Mayawati Cuts Akash Anand Loose From BSP, Cites Family Ties Over Party Interests
BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday completely relieved her nephew Akash Anand of all association with the party, saying he had become too attached to family ties and was unable to work with a clear mind for the BSP and the Bahujan movement. The immediate trigger was Anand's decision not to repost on X a message put out by Mayawati about his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth. Mayawati said Anand had…
Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has completely severed her nephew Akash Anand's ties with the party, citing family attachments over party interests. The decision was made following Anand's refusal to repost a message from Mayawati about his father-in-law's retirement from politics. She argued that Anand's actions indicated a greater loyalty to family ties than the party and Bahujan movement.
This action comes shortly after Siddharth's retirement announcement. Mayawati described his decision as "better late than never" but noted that he should have retired earlier to avoid this situation. This marks the third major setback for Anand since he was designated as Mayawati's political successor. Additionally, Mayawati's decision reflects her ongoing concerns about his political maturity and capacity to function within the BSP's tightly controlled structure.
Anand, known for his aggressive political style, has previously attacked rival leaders and even referred to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as "uncles." Political analyst Kamal Jayant highlighted a generational question within the party, noting that Anand's rise was initially seen as the face of the party's future.
Mayawati officially declared Anand as her successor and national coordinator in December 2023, but he was removed from key responsibilities during the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign and then expelled in March 2025. His recent expulsion further underscores the troubled relationship between the two. This decision also follows Mayawati's recent removal of Anand as national coordinator on September 3, citing his need for greater political maturity.
The removal of Akash Anand leaves his younger brother, Ishan Anand, as the only other BSP member with an important organizational role. However, Mayawati has stressed that family ties alone cannot determine positions within the party, suggesting that Akash Anand's political future within the BSP remains uncertain.
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