Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday opened the door for her nephew Akash Anand to regain a key organisational role, but attached a firm condition to his political rehabilitation — his father-in-law and former BSP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth must completely retire from politics. The announcement comes less than a week after Mayawati removed the 31-year-old Akash as the party’s chief national coordinator, saying he needed greater political maturity before being entrusted with major responsibilities.
In a detailed statement, Mayawati said Siddharth still had an opportunity to give up his political ambitions and rise above personal interests, keeping in mind the BSP, the Bahujan movement, his family and Akash’s political future. She said only after Siddharth takes complete “sanyas” from politics would Akash be able to work freely within the party and the BSP could consider restoring his responsibilities “sympathetically”.
Mayawati targets Siddharth
Mayawati accused Siddharth of repeatedly putting his personal and family ambitions ahead of the BSP’s interests. She said the party had given the former MP several opportunities to correct his conduct but he had failed to do so, with both Siddharth and Akash eventually facing the consequences. The BSP chief maintained that disciplinary action would continue against anyone who created obstacles in the party’s mission.
The statement marks another turn in Akash’s turbulent political journey within the BSP. He had been projected as Mayawati’s political successor ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections before being stripped of key responsibilities. Mayawati had subsequently accused him of being influenced by Siddharth. Akash was briefly expelled from the party in 2025 before being brought back after expressing regret and reaffirming his commitment to the BSP leadership. He was later elevated again, only to lose his chief national coordinator position earlier this month.
2027 polls in focus
Mayawati’s latest intervention comes as the BSP prepares for crucial Assembly elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where the party is attempting to rebuild its organisation and recover lost electoral ground. Elections are also approaching in Punjab and Uttarakhand, and Mayawati has described the contests as important for the BSP and the wider Bahujan movement.
She has urged party workers, office-bearers and supporters to remain united and work with full commitment ahead of the elections. Her statement indicates that Akash’s path back to the BSP’s top organisational structure has not been permanently closed, but his political future now depends significantly on whether Siddharth accepts Mayawati’s demand to withdraw completely from active politics.