Mayawati removes nephew Akash Anand, reshuffles BSP leadership, 'No decision on successor till I am alive'

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday removed her nephew Akash Anand from all party positions, including his role as national coordinator. She announced that there would be no designated successor in the BSP while she is alive. This decision comes shortly after she expelled senior leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth, who is Akash Anand’s father-in-law, for allegedly creating factions within the party.

Mayawati justified Akash Anand’s removal by stating that his political career had been negatively influenced by Siddharth, who she accused of attempting to weaken the BSP’s organisational strength. She stated, “If any family member misuses the party’s name to harm the movement, they will be removed immediately,” referring to BSP founder Kanshi Ram’s principles. This is the second time Akash Anand has been relieved of his responsibilities, the first being in May 2024, before his reinstatement in July.

To stabilise the party leadership, Mayawati appointed BSP general secretary Anand Kumar and Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam as the new national coordinators. She stated that Anand Kumar had never disappointed her and remained dedicated to the party’s mission. Ramji Gautam previously held this role until 2019 and now returns to the position. The restructuring aims to strengthen BSP’s internal organisation ahead of upcoming political challenges.

During the party’s national executive meeting in Lucknow, Mayawati also addressed broader issues affecting the country. She criticised the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments, urging them to take concrete steps to combat inflation, unemployment, and economic inequality. She emphasised that the development of the Bahujan community is essential not just for Uttar Pradesh but for the progress of the entire country.

Mayawati reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Kanshi Ram’s ideology and announced plans for grand celebrations on his birth anniversary. She reiterated that personal relationships would not influence BSP’s leadership decisions, stating that discipline and the party’s core principles would always take priority over family ties.