Archive · 10 Sep 2026
SP Criticizes Mayawati After Ashok Siddharth Retires From Politics
Ashok Siddharth, a former BSP leader and former Rajya Sabha member, said he was retiring from politics.
His announcement came after Mayawati said his retirement was needed to give Akash Anand another chance in the BSP.
Mayawati later expelled Akash Anand from the party.
The Samajwadi Party criticized Mayawati and said she was focusing on herself instead of society.
Sanjay Nishad also encouraged Akash Anand to keep working for disadvantaged people.
Nishad said someone devoted to a mission should not retire.
Rakesh Sachan said the BSP should decide whom to expel or admit.
The disagreement centers on the BSP’s leadership and political future.
Former BSP leader and ex-Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth announced his retirement from politics.
The announcement followed Mayawati’s statement that Siddharth’s retirement was necessary for Akash Anand to receive another opportunity in the BSP.
Mayawati later expelled Akash Anand, saying he was freed from the party and appeared more personally attached than focused on his political career.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma accused Mayawati of prioritizing herself over Dalit and Bahujan Samaj interests.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad urged Akash Anand to continue fighting for neglected sections, while Rakesh Sachan declined to comment.
- Who
- Ashok Siddharth, Mayawati, Akash Anand, the Samajwadi Party, and Uttar Pradesh ministers Sanjay Nishad and Rakesh Sachan.
- What
- Ashok Siddharth announced his retirement from politics, prompting criticism of Mayawati and calls for Akash Anand to continue political work.
- When
- Siddharth announced the decision one day after Mayawati discussed his retirement; Mayawati later expelled Akash Anand.
- Where
- The statements concerned the Bahujan Samaj Party and Uttar Pradesh; the comments cited were given to IANS.
- Why
- Mayawati linked Siddharth’s retirement to giving Akash Anand another opportunity in the BSP, while critics said the party should focus on broader social and political causes.
Critics of Mayawati
Mayawati and BSP Position
Mayawati’s leadership priorities
Critics of Mayawati
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said Mayawati now does politics for herself and no longer speaks for Dalit and Bahujan Samaj communities.
Mayawati and BSP Position
Mayawati’s stated position was that Siddharth’s retirement was necessary if Akash Anand was to receive another opportunity within the BSP.
Akash Anand’s political future
Critics of Mayawati
Sanjay Nishad urged Akash Anand to remain active, fight for neglected and weaker sections, and fulfill the vision associated with Kanshi Ram and B.R. Ambedkar.
Mayawati and BSP Position
Mayawati later expelled Akash Anand, saying he had been freed from the party and that his personal attachment appeared to outweigh concern for his political career.
Party decision-making
Critics of Mayawati
Critics argued that the BSP should remain focused on society and the wider Bahujan movement rather than individual political careers.
Mayawati and BSP Position
Rakesh Sachan said decisions about whom the BSP expels or inducts are for Mayawati, as the party’s national president, to make.
- Retiring politician
- Ashok Siddharth, an expelled BSP leader and former Rajya Sabha member
- Party chief
- Mayawati leads the Bahujan Samaj Party
- Subsequent expulsion
- Mayawati later expelled Akash Anand from the BSP
- Criticism
- Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said Mayawati was acting primarily for herself
- Call to action
- Sanjay Nishad urged Akash Anand to continue fighting for neglected sections
- BSP response on membership
- Rakesh Sachan said it was for the BSP to decide whom to expel or induct
- Political legacy cited
- Statements referred to the ideals of B.R. Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram