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.

A Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) employee was killed and two others were injured after a speeding Hyva truck rammed into their motorcycle near JP Chowk in Sector-5, Bhilai, late Monday night. The truck driver fled the spot, leaving the vehicle behind, while police have launched a search and are examining CCTV footage to identify and arrest the accused.

The deceased has been identified as Shyam Rao, a resident of Khursipar and an employee of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). According to police, Rao had visited his in-laws' residence in Maroda along with two companions earlier in the evening. The trio was returning home before Rao was scheduled to report for his night shift at the steel plant.

High-Speed Collision Near JP Chowk

The accident occurred near JP Chowk in Sector-5, where the motorcycle carrying all three men was struck by a speeding Hyva truck. The impact was severe, causing Shyam Rao to die on the spot.

The two other riders sustained serious injuries after being thrown onto the road. Local residents immediately alerted the police, who rushed to the scene and shifted the injured victims to Durg District Hospital for treatment.

Police later sent Rao's body for post-mortem examination.

Driver Escapes, Police Launch Search

Eyewitnesses said the truck driver abandoned the vehicle immediately after the accident and escaped from the scene before police arrived.

The police have seized the Hyva truck and initiated efforts to trace the driver. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby locations to establish the sequence of events and identify the accused.

Officials said a criminal case will be registered against the driver once his identity is confirmed.

Investigation Underway

The injured victims continue to receive treatment at Durg District Hospital, where doctors are monitoring their condition.

Police officials stated that the exact cause of the accident will be determined after completing the investigation, including examination of eyewitness statements and CCTV evidence.

The incident has once again raised concerns over speeding heavy vehicles and road safety in the Bhilai industrial region, particularly during late-night hours when many industrial workers travel to and from their workplaces.

Both parties have begun sharpening their social outreach strategies, signalling that Dalit voters could play a decisive role in determining the electoral outcome in India's most politically significant state. Political observers believe the contest is no longer limited to traditional caste equations, as every major party is attempting to expand its social base ahead of the election.

The BJP is focusing on consolidating its support among Dalits alongside non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a strategy that has contributed to its electoral success in recent years. The party has also undertaken organisational changes in Uttar Pradesh aimed at balancing caste representation within its leadership structure before the election campaign gathers momentum.

On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party is attempting to strengthen its PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) strategy under party chief Akhilesh Yadav. As part of that effort, the SP is planning to field a significantly higher number of Dalit candidates in the 2027 Assembly election, including candidates in several general constituencies, in an effort to broaden its support beyond its traditional Muslim-Yadav voter base.

Political analysts say the contest has become more competitive because the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has historically been the principal political force representing Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh, is facing renewed challenges in retaining its traditional support base. This has encouraged rival parties to step up their outreach to Scheduled Caste communities through organisational changes, public campaigns and candidate selection strategies.

The BJP continues to project governance, welfare schemes and representation of marginalised communities as central themes of its campaign, while the Samajwadi Party is seeking to build a broader social coalition through its PDA narrative. The differing approaches highlight how both parties are attempting to appeal to voters whose support could influence dozens of Assembly constituencies across the state.

Dalit voters account for a substantial share of Uttar Pradesh's electorate and have traditionally played a decisive role in state elections. Their voting pattern has undergone notable changes over the past decade, making them one of the most closely watched electoral groups as political parties recalibrate their strategies.

The Congress has also stepped up its efforts by appointing Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam as its Uttar Pradesh in-charge, while reaffirming support for the PDA political framework in coordination with its alliance strategy. The move reflects the wider competition among political parties to increase their presence among Dalit communities ahead of the election.

Although formal campaigning is yet to begin, organisational restructuring, candidate planning and community outreach programmes indicate that preparations are already well underway.

With the Assembly election expected next year, political observers believe the fight for Dalit votes will remain one of the most significant factors shaping Uttar Pradesh's electoral landscape. As parties continue refining their caste and social equations, the coming months are likely to witness intensified grassroots mobilisation across the state.

A special MP-MLA court has issued an arrest warrant against Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari in connection with alleged defamatory remarks made during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign against BSP candidate Devashish Jararia. The court also directed the Bhind Superintendent of Police to ensure Patwari’s presence at the next hearing on 27 July.

During the hearing, the court strongly questioned the police’s claim that Patwari could not be traced, remarking that if his statements and political activities are visible everywhere, it was hard to understand why police could not find him. The judge’s comments made it clear that the court was displeased with the progress of the case.

What the case is about

The case dates back to 27 April 2024, when Patwari was campaigning in the Umri area of Bhind district in support of Congress candidate Phool Singh Baraiya. During that public meeting, he allegedly accused Devashish Jararia of having links and dealings with the BJP after Jararia had left Congress and joined the BSP.

According to the complaint, Patwari also used informal and disrespectful language while making the allegations, which Jararia objected to. A video CD of the rally was later submitted with the complaint, forming part of the evidence in the case.

FIR and court action

Based on Jararia’s complaint, Bhind’s Umri police station registered an FIR against Patwari on 4 May 2024. The court had earlier issued a notice asking him to appear on 16 January 2026, but he did not appear before the court.

At the latest hearing, police told the court that they were unable to locate him. The court rejected that explanation and ordered the Bhind SP to ensure that Patwari is produced in court on the next date.

Why it matters

The order adds legal pressure on one of Madhya Pradesh’s most prominent opposition leaders. It also reflects the court’s dissatisfaction with the police response and the delay in securing the accused’s presence.

If the next hearing goes forward as scheduled, the court is expected to examine both the alleged remarks and Patwari’s non-appearance. The case will likely continue to draw political attention because it involves campaign speech, defamation allegations and a sitting party chief.