Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), March 2 – In a significant political development, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday removed her nephew Akash Anand from all party positions, citing concerns over factionalism. She also expelled Ashok Siddharth, Akash Anand’s father-in-law, accusing him of attempting to create divisions within the party.
The BSP has announced the appointment of Anand Kumar and Ramji Gautam as the party’s new National Coordinators in a leadership reshuffle.
Factionalism Will Not Be Tolerated: Mayawati
In a press release issued on March 2, Mayawati justified the expulsion, stating that Siddharth had actively worked to weaken the party by creating factions across the country, including in Uttar Pradesh.
“Being an honest and loyal disciple of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, I have expelled Ashok Siddharth from the party in the interest of the organization. He has committed the heinous act of weakening BSP by dividing it into factions, which is absolutely intolerable,” she stated.
Referring to Akash Anand’s recent marriage to Siddharth’s daughter, Mayawati suggested that external influence on Akash’s political decisions needed serious scrutiny.
“How much influence his father-in-law has on his daughter, and in turn how much influence she has on Akash, is something that must be examined carefully. So far, this influence does not appear to be positive at all.”
Leadership Shake-up in BSP
With Akash Anand stripped of his responsibilities, Mayawati has reinstated Anand Kumar to oversee BSP’s affairs, emphasizing her trust in his leadership.
“Anand Kumar will continue to manage all party affairs, both in Lucknow and elsewhere, as he has not disappointed me in any matter. He has never harmed the party or its movement,” Mayawati said.
This move marks the second time in a year that Mayawati has removed Akash Anand from key party positions. In May 2024, during the Lok Sabha elections, she had dismissed him from all major party roles, calling him “immature.” However, by June 2024, she reinstated him as her political successor and BSP’s National Coordinator—a decision she has now reversed.
BSP Faces Internal Struggles
The latest shake-up highlights the growing internal turmoil within the BSP, a party struggling to regain its political strength. Mayawati’s decision to expel close family members and reshuffle leadership underscores her determination to maintain control over the party’s future amid shifting political dynamics.
With the 2024 elections behind them, the BSP now faces the challenge of restructuring its leadership and solidifying its base as it prepares for upcoming political battles.