BSP chief’s latest move follows a political showdown over Ashok Siddharth’s retirement and Akash Anand’s future in the party.
LUCKNOW ; GTNS | SEPTEMBER 10, 2026:
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has removed her nephew Akash Anand from the BSP, escalating an internal leadership dispute that had intensified over the political future of Anand and his father-in-law, former Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth.
The development comes just hours after Siddharth announced his retirement from active politics, following Mayawati’s demand that he give up his political ambitions to clear the way for Anand’s possible return to an active organisational role.
Mayawati Questions Anand’s Priorities
In her latest statement, Mayawati criticised Anand for what she described as a growing conflict between personal and family interests and the objectives of the BSP and its broader movement.
She also pointed to Anand’s failure to publicly support her earlier message regarding Siddharth’s retirement as an indication that his political priorities had changed.
Siddharth Announces Political Retirement
Ashok Siddharth subsequently announced that he was stepping away from politics. His decision followed Mayawati’s earlier statement that complete retirement from politics was necessary if Anand was to work freely within the BSP.
However, Mayawati later described Siddharth’s decision as a correct but delayed step and proceeded to announce Anand’s removal from the party.
Fresh Questions Over BSP’s Leadership
The latest developments have once again placed the BSP’s internal leadership structure under the spotlight, particularly as Uttar Pradesh prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections.
The episode also raises questions over the future political role of Akash Anand and the direction Mayawati intends to take with the party’s younger leadership.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026