2 days ago
Parties Woo Akash Anand Ahead of Uttar Pradesh Election
Akash Anand is Mayawati’s nephew and was once presented as her political successor.
Mayawati recently said he no longer had responsibilities in the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Several political leaders now say Anand would be welcome in their parties.
These include Sanjay Nishad, Chandrashekhar Aazad, Congress leaders and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.
They are interested because the Bahujan Samaj Party still has support among some Dalit voters, especially Jatavs.
The party’s vote share and number of elected representatives have fallen in recent elections.
Mayawati has repeatedly said that she will not make electoral alliances.
Some people inside the Bahujan Samaj Party still think Anand could eventually return.
Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Aazad have invited Akash Anand to join their political efforts.
Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders have also indicated they would consider working with or accepting Anand.
Mayawati announced on September 10 that Anand was completely freed from the Bahujan Samaj Party’s responsibilities.
Political parties are pursuing Anand because they want access to the Bahujan Samaj Party’s support base, especially among Jatav voters.
The Bahujan Samaj Party’s Uttar Pradesh vote share fell from 22.23% in 2017 to 12.88% in 2022 and from 19.43% in 2019 to 9.39% in 2024.
- Who
- Akash Anand, Mayawati, Sanjay Nishad, Chandrashekhar Aazad, Congress leaders and Akhilesh Yadav.
- What
- Political parties and Bahujan movement leaders are reaching out to Akash Anand after Mayawati removed him from Bahujan Samaj Party responsibilities.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, India.
- When
- The outreach began days after Mayawati’s September 10 announcement, ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
- Why
- Parties are seeking influence among the Bahujan Samaj Party’s support base, particularly sections of Dalit voters and Jatavs.
Parties Seeking Anand’s Support
Mayawati and the BSP’s Separate Position
Political outreach
Parties Seeking Anand’s Support
Sanjay Nishad and Chandrashekhar Aazad have publicly invited Anand to join them, while Congress and Akhilesh Yadav have indicated they would consider accepting him.
Mayawati and the BSP’s Separate Position
Mayawati has removed Anand from party responsibilities, although some within the Bahujan Samaj Party believe she could eventually take him back.
Electoral alliances
Parties Seeking Anand’s Support
Parties are exploring Anand as another route to the Bahujan political space and the Bahujan Samaj Party’s voter base before the 2027 election.
Mayawati and the BSP’s Separate Position
Mayawati has repeatedly ruled out electoral alliances, making it harder for other parties to directly combine with the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Mayawati’s political alignment
Parties Seeking Anand’s Support
Congress state president Ajay Rai said Mayawati is aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party and that Anand had spoken against it.
Mayawati and the BSP’s Separate Position
The article presents Rai’s statement as the Congress’s characterization; Mayawati’s own position in the report is her continued refusal to enter electoral alliances.
Key facts
- Akash Anand’s status
- Mayawati announced on September 10 that he was completely freed from Bahujan Samaj Party responsibilities.
- 2027 election
- The outreach is taking place ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.
- 2017 Assembly result
- The Bahujan Samaj Party won 19 seats with 22.23% of the Uttar Pradesh vote.
- 2022 Assembly result
- The party won one seat with 12.88% of the vote.
- 2019 Lok Sabha result
- The party won 10 Uttar Pradesh seats with about 19.43% of the vote.
- 2024 Lok Sabha result
- The party won no seats in Uttar Pradesh and received about 9.39% of the vote.
- Key voter base
- Other parties are watching the Bahujan Samaj Party’s support among sections of Dalit voters, particularly Jatavs.
Quotes
Chandrashekhar Aazad
Chief of the Azad Samaj Party and Nagina MP
“Brother Akash Anand wants to take the Bahujan mission forward. Even though he has used abusive words against me, if he wants to join the Azad Samaj Party, he is welcome. We will work together.”
indianexpress.com
“I appeal to Akash Anand ji to come forward, join the mainstream with his team and fulfil Kanshi Ram’s dream.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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