Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday announced that her nephew Akash Anand has been completely relieved of his association with the party, marking another major turn in the organisation's leadership changes ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
The announcement came shortly after Anand's father-in-law and former BSP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth declared his retirement from political and social life. The sequence of events reverses expectations raised just a day earlier, when Mayawati had indicated that Siddharth's retirement could clear the way for Anand to return to an active role in the BSP.
Mayawati Cuts Ties With Akash Anand
Mayawati said Anand had already been relieved of the responsibilities attached to the post of BSP national coordinator at a meeting of party office-bearers in Lucknow on September 3.
At that time, she had said Anand needed greater political maturity and that he would not be entrusted with major organisational responsibilities for the time being. Her latest announcement goes further, with Anand being described as completely free from the party.
The development represents another setback for Akash Anand, who had earlier been projected as an important younger face within the BSP.
Ashok Siddharth Retires After Mayawati's Message
The latest action followed Siddharth's announcement that he was withdrawing from political and social life.
Siddharth, who had previously served as a BSP Rajya Sabha member and was expelled from the party over alleged anti-party activities, said he was taking political “sanyas”. He also said he had not been meeting or advising Anand for several months and denied allegations that he had attempted to influence his son-in-law.
His announcement came one day after Mayawati publicly linked his political retirement to Anand's prospects within the BSP.
Why Mayawati Had Set the Retirement Condition
On Wednesday, Mayawati had said Siddharth still had an opportunity to put the interests of the BSP and the wider Bahujan movement above personal and family interests.
She had indicated that only after Siddharth completely retired from politics could Anand work freely in the party, while the restoration of his earlier responsibilities could then be considered.
Siddharth subsequently announced his retirement, but Mayawati's Thursday decision shows that the condition did not lead to Anand's restoration.
A Rapid Series of Changes in BSP Leadership
The developments mark a rapid sequence of changes involving Anand.
On September 3, Mayawati removed him from the BSP's national coordinator role. She cited the need for greater political maturity and said he would not be given major organisational responsibilities for the time being.
The latest decision now takes him completely outside the party, according to Mayawati's announcement. Reports also indicate that Anand has faced more than one reversal in his political position within the BSP.
For a party preparing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh election, the repeated changes have also brought renewed attention to questions surrounding its future leadership and organisational strategy.
Focus Shifts to 2027 Uttar Pradesh Election
Mayawati has urged BSP workers to remain focused on the party's objective of returning to power in Uttar Pradesh.
The BSP's latest internal developments are unfolding well ahead of the Assembly election, making organisational stability and leadership mobilisation particularly important for the party.
Mayawati has continued to emphasise party discipline and the interests of the BSP movement while taking action against leaders she says have prioritised personal or family considerations over organisational objectives.
What Happens to Akash Anand's Political Future?
Akash Anand's immediate political future within the BSP is now uncertain.
His removal from the national coordinator position on September 3 was initially followed by Mayawati's suggestion that his responsibilities could potentially be restored if Siddharth retired. Siddharth did announce his retirement, but Mayawati has now taken the more decisive step of relieving Anand from the party altogether.
The latest move therefore leaves the BSP's next generation of leadership in focus as Mayawati prepares the party for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
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