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Party insiders cite Akash’s “modern political approach” and outspoken remarks on BSP’s functioning, while others point to his growing popularity as the key reasons behind his expulsion from the party
The final trigger for Akash’s expulsion came on February 7, when several BSP leaders attended the wedding of Ashok Siddharth’s son against Mayawati’s explicit orders. (PTI)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati’s decision to expel her nephew Akash Anand has sent shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh’s political circles and within party ranks. The move, coming at a time when BSP is struggling to regain its shrinking base and recover from successive electoral failures, has fueled intense speculation. But what went wrong between Akash and his Bua Maa?
Party insiders cite Akash’s “modern political approach” and outspoken remarks on BSP’s functioning, while others point to his growing popularity as the key reasons behind his expulsion. UP’s political experts, while calling such high-profile expulsions routine in BSP, said “Behenji’s decision is ‘patthar ki lakeer’,” marking the end of Akash’s political career—at least within the BSP.
Who is Akash Anand?
Akash Anand was once seen as her political heir. He first appeared in the political arena in 2017 during a rally in Saharanpur alongside Mayawati. Since then, he had been actively involved in party affairs. In 2019, after the BSP-SP alliance collapsed post-Lok Sabha elections, he was appointed the national coordinator of the party.
In 2022, his name was included in the list of BSP’s star campaigners for the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, signalling his growing influence. Akash holds an MBA degree from London and is known for his modern political approach, which often clashed with the party’s traditional style.
Mayawati declared him her political successor twice in five months, but both times he was removed. On December 10, 2023, he was first named the heir, but on May 7, 2024, he was stripped of all responsibilities due to controversial remarks. He was again reinstated on June 23, 2024, as the party’s national coordinator, but on March 2, 2025, he was removed from all posts. Finally, on March 3, 2025, Mayawati expelled him from the party altogether.
A Shocking Political Shake-Up
A tense silence gripped the BSP headquarters in Lucknow on Monday morning as whispers of an impending announcement filled the air. Then came the bombshell as Mayawati expelled her nephew, citing “anti-party activities”. Just a day earlier, she had stripped him of all key posts.
In a strongly worded post on X, Mayawati declared, “In the interest of the self-respect and self-esteem movement of the most revered Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and following the tradition of discipline of the venerable Kanshiram ji, Shri Akash Anand, like his father-in-law, is expelled from the party in the interest of the party and the movement.”
The BSP supremo also appointed her brother Anand Kumar and Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam as national coordinators in Akash’s place, further asserting her control over the party. In a move that left no room for speculation, she declared that she would not name a successor in her lifetime.
Mayawati’s decision, coming ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections when BSP is struggling to reclaim its core voter base, has now become the most talked-about issue in political circles. The expulsion has left many wondering—what went wrong between the aunt and the nephew?
Clash Between Tradition, Modernisation
Insiders believe that Akash’s attempt to modernise BSP played a key role in his expulsion. “The primary reason behind Akash’s expulsion seems to be his modern approach and new style of working, which clashed with the party’s traditional functioning,” said a senior BSP leader. His focus on youth engagement, digital outreach, and direct communication was a stark contrast to BSP’s conventional system, making senior leaders uneasy, a party insider told News18.
Another functionary stated, “Akash was trying to introduce new strategies, but many senior leaders were uncomfortable with these changes.” His efforts to reshape the party and his assurance to workers that he would bring reforms when the time was right only deepened the rift.
Growing Influence And Power Struggles
Akash’s rising popularity within the party also contributed to tensions. His increasing support among BSP’s youth wing and emerging leaders made senior figures feel overshadowed. “Akash was seen as the new face of BSP, and this created discomfort among old-timers,” remarked a former BSP coordinator.
Additionally, Akash’s growing proximity to his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, a former key BSP strategist in southern India, became a major concern. “Many leaders and coordinators started aligning with Ashok and Akash without Mayawati’s direct approval. This was seen as an internal threat,” explained a senior party leader.
Defiance Of Mayawati’s Orders
The final trigger for Akash’s expulsion came on February 7, when several BSP leaders attended the wedding of Ashok Siddharth’s son against Mayawati’s explicit orders. “Mayawati was furious. She had already suspected that a power shift was happening within the party, and this act of defiance only confirmed her doubts,” said a party source.
Rivalry And Internal Politics
Some insiders believe that Akash’s opponents within the party played a role in his downfall by fuelling Mayawati’s suspicions. “She was made to believe that Akash was planning a power shift with his father-in-law and wife. The mention of ‘that girl’ in the press release was a clear indication that Mayawati saw this as a larger conspiracy,” said a party insider
End Of Akash’s Political Career?
However, UP’s political analysts — while calling the high-profile expulsion “normal” in BSP — said the decision possibly marks an end of Akash’s career, especially within the party. “This is not the first time Behen-ji has taken such a stern decision. There is a long list of high-profile party functionaries who have been shown the door,” pointed out Shashikant Pandey, head department of political science, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow.
Precedents In BSP
Pandey said Mayawati has never allowed any leader to establish an independent identity in the party. After the era of Kanshiram, she has taken unilateral decisions within the party, ensuring that no other figure rises to prominence.
Over the years, several senior leaders who had carved a niche for themselves were abruptly expelled. The list includes prominent names such as Swami Prasad Maurya, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Brajesh Pathak, Lalji Verma, Ram Achal Rajbhar, Babu Singh Kushwaha, Nakul Dubey, Lalji Nirmal, KK Gautam, Indrajit Saroj, Sunil Chittor, and Brijlal Khabri.
What Did Akash Say?
A day after being removed from all BSP posts, Akash asserted that he remained undeterred, drawing strength from the Bahujan movement’s ideals. In a post on X, he dismissed speculation about his political career being over, emphasising that the Bahujan movement is not a career but a fight for the self-respect and dignity of marginalised communities.
Calling the decision “emotional” one, Akash acknowledged the challenge ahead. “The decision of respected Mayawati-ji to relieve me from all party posts is personally emotional, but this is a big challenge, the test is difficult, and the fight is long,” he said. Despite his removal, he reaffirmed his commitment to the party and its ideology.
Akash credited Mayawati for teaching him lessons of sacrifice, loyalty, and dedication, stating that her decisions were final and binding. “Every decision of respected Behen-ji is like a line on a stone. I respect and stand by it,” he said.
Declaring his unwavering resolve, he added, “This is an idea, a movement that cannot be suppressed. Lakhs of Akash Anands are always ready to keep this torch burning.”
SP Calls Decision ‘Strange’
Mayawati’s decision, especially at a time when Akash was gradually gaining traction among Dalit youths, has drawn criticism from political analysts and opposition parties alike. The Samajwadi Party (SP) was quick to mock the move, questioning why she was not allowing the next generation to take charge.
SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma called it a “strange decision”, pointing out how Akash was first made national coordinator, then removed mid-Lok Sabha elections for being “immature,” reinstated later, and now expelled again. “If decisions keep changing like this, it raises questions on leadership and Mayawati’s intent to fight elections seriously,” he remarked.
‘Ill-Timed Move’
Political experts found the expulsion ill-timed, arguing that Akash was emerging as a new face for Dalit youth, and his removal could further alienate BSP’s dwindling voter base.
The BSP’s electoral decline has been stark. In 2007, the party secured a landslide victory, winning 206 seats and forming the government with over 30 per cent vote share. However, by 2022, BSP was reduced to just one seat, with a mere 12.9 per cent votes. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were even worse. BSP, which won 10 seats in 2019, failed to open its account, and its vote share plummeted to 9.35 per cent.
The question now is will Akash challenge the decision and trace his own path, or will he wait for another opportunity to re-enter the party?
