Last Updated:
Mayawati’s latest action against Akash Anand came hours after his father-in-law’s retirement announcement, reviving questions over BSP’s leadership ahead of the 2027 UP elections.
BSP Chief Mayawati with her nephew Akash Anand.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has once again expelled her nephew Akash Anand from the party, accusing him of becoming “double-minded” and allowing personal and family considerations to come in the way of the BSP and the broader Bahujan movement.
The latest action came on Thursday, shortly after Akash Anand’s father-in-law and former BSP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth announced that he was retiring from politics and social life. Mayawati described Siddharth’s decision as a step taken late, saying that had he taken it earlier, the BSP, the Bahujan movement and Akash Anand himself would not have faced repeated difficulties.
The dramatic sequence marks another major reversal in Akash Anand’s political journey, which has repeatedly seen him elevated by Mayawati, removed from key responsibilities and subsequently brought back into the BSP fold.
Mayawati’s Latest Charge Against Akash
In her latest statement, Mayawati said Akash had been working with a “double mind” and that this was damaging the party and its movement. She again questioned the influence of his father-in-law, saying Akash appeared to have greater regard for Siddharth than for the BSP’s organisational interests.
The BSP chief’s latest decision came despite the fact that only a day earlier, she had indicated that Akash could potentially return to an important organisational role if Siddharth completely withdrew from politics.
Mayawati said that Siddharth could still put aside his political ambitions and “rise above personal interests” in the interests of the BSP, the movement and his son-in-law’s political future. She had made it clear that only after Siddharth’s complete retirement would the party consider restoring responsibilities to Akash.
Siddharth subsequently announced his political retirement on Thursday, saying he was withdrawing from politics and social life. His announcement came after Mayawati’s public criticism and her demand that he leave politics completely.
Why Is Ashok Siddharth At The Centre Of The Dispute?
Siddharth is not merely a senior former BSP leader. He is Akash Anand’s father-in-law, making the dispute particularly significant because Mayawati has repeatedly linked the political fortunes of her nephew with Siddharth’s conduct within the party.
Siddharth, a former Rajya Sabha MP, had been a senior BSP functionary and held organisational responsibilities in several states. He was expelled by Mayawati from the BSP on August 2, 2026, along with national coordinator Randhir Singh Beniwal, on allegations of indiscipline and anti-party activities.
His expulsion was not an isolated development. Siddharth had faced disciplinary action previously as well, with Mayawati accusing him of putting personal interests and ambitions ahead of the BSP’s mission. The latest controversy therefore brought an old organisational fault line back into the open.
Akash Anand’s Rise, And Repeated Setbacks
Akash Anand was projected as Mayawati’s political successor in December 2023, marking the beginning of an aggressive attempt to position a younger face within the BSP leadership.
However, his elevation was followed by a series of reversals.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, Mayawati removed him from his organisational responsibilities after controversy over remarks made during a campaign rally. She also withdrew the earlier designation of him as her successor, citing concerns over his political maturity.
The relationship deteriorated further in 2025. Akash was removed from all major party posts and expelled from the BSP in March after Mayawati’s national-level organisational meeting. He later issued a public apology and was readmitted to the party in April, although without an immediate organisational post.
His political comeback gathered momentum later in 2025. Mayawati subsequently restored him to a major organisational role, and he was entrusted with responsibilities including the BSP’s preparations in Bihar. He was eventually elevated to the post of national convenor.
That comeback, however, did not last.
Another Setback Ahead Of The 2027 UP Polls
On September 3 this year, Mayawati again curtailed Akash Anand’s role, saying it was not appropriate to give him a major responsibility in the party until he became more mature and politically seasoned.
He was effectively reduced to working as an ordinary party worker, while his position as national convenor was taken away. The move came at a crucial time, with the BSP preparing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
At the time, Mayawati did not permanently close the door on Akash’s political future. Instead, she suggested that he could regain a significant role once he demonstrated greater maturity.
The subsequent dispute over Siddharth changed the equation.
Mayawati Versus Siddharth
On September 9, Mayawati publicly put the responsibility for Akash’s political difficulties at least partly at Siddharth’s door.
She said the BSP had provided Siddharth with several opportunities to correct his conduct but alleged that he had continued to prioritise personal interests and ambitions over the party and the movement. She argued that his political withdrawal was necessary not only for the BSP but also for Akash’s own political future.
Siddharth initially responded by declaring his loyalty to Mayawati, saying he was prepared to sacrifice even his life on her instructions. He subsequently announced his retirement from politics.
But instead of immediately paving the way for Akash’s return, the situation culminated in Mayawati’s fresh decision to expel her nephew.
What Does The Latest Expulsion Mean?
The latest development raises a larger question about the future of the BSP’s second-generation leadership.
Mayawati has repeatedly insisted that the party’s organisational decisions cannot be driven merely by family relationships. Yet Akash Anand’s political trajectory has remained closely intertwined with the Mayawati family and, increasingly, with his father-in-law.
This also comes at a critical moment for the BSP. Uttar Pradesh is heading towards the 2027 Assembly election, and Mayawati has been attempting to rebuild the party organisation and regain political relevance after a series of weak electoral performances.
For now, the BSP’s leadership remains firmly centred on Mayawati. The repeated rise and fall of Akash Anand, however, has made the question of who will eventually carry the party forward increasingly significant.
Quick Answers
Ask News18BSP chief Mayawati expelled Akash Anand, accusing him of being “double-minded” and prioritizing personal and family considerations over the party and the Bahujan movement. She also questioned the influence of his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth.
Ask News18September 10, 2026, 13:53 IST
Read More
