Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Akhilesh Hints SP Could Accept BSP’s Akash Anand
Mayawati said that Akash Anand was no longer part of the Bahujan Samaj Party.
She said he seemed unsure about his political priorities and too focused on family interests.
Anand had already lost important responsibilities in the party.
Akhilesh Yadav was asked whether his Samajwadi Party would accept Anand.
Yadav jokingly said that if Anand were brought to him, the SP would take him.
He also said other parties should not comment on Mayawati’s decision.
Anand had previously made sharp comments about Yadav and Rahul Gandhi.
The change is important because Mayawati had once presented Anand as a possible political successor.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the party could accept Akash Anand if he sought to join.
Yadav said Anand’s removal from the Bahujan Samaj Party was an internal matter.
Mayawati said Anand was completely freed from the BSP after questioning his commitment to the party and its movement.
Anand had been stripped of major organisational responsibilities, including national coordinator, on September 3.
The development follows Anand’s earlier criticism of Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi at a BSP meeting in Hathras.
- Who
- Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, Akash Anand, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
- What
- Mayawati removed Anand from the BSP, while Yadav indicated that the SP could accept him.
- When
- The announcements and comments were made on September 10; Anand had lost key organisational responsibilities on September 3.
- Where
- The comments were reported from Lucknow, while Anand’s earlier remarks were made at a BSP meeting in Hathras.
- Why
- Mayawati cited Anand’s apparent uncertainty and concern that family interests were taking precedence over his political work and the Bahujan movement.
Mayawati’s Position
Akhilesh Yadav’s Position
Anand’s political status
Mayawati’s Position
Mayawati said Anand was completely freed from the BSP and questioned whether he could effectively serve the party because family and personal interests appeared to take priority.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Position
Yadav said Anand’s removal was an internal BSP matter and indicated that the SP could accept him if he wanted to join.
Public political criticism
Mayawati’s Position
Mayawati’s decision followed concerns about Anand’s commitment, including his failure to repost an earlier social media message from her.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Position
Yadav avoided directly criticising Mayawati’s decision but responded humorously to Anand’s earlier reference to him as “uncle.”
- BSP decision
- Mayawati said Akash Anand had been completely freed from the party.
- SP response
- Akhilesh Yadav said, “If you bring him, we will take him,” when asked about Anand joining the SP.
- Previous role
- Anand had been projected by Mayawati as her political successor.
- Organisational change
- Anand was relieved of all important organisational responsibilities, including national coordinator, on September 3.
- Mayawati’s criticism
- She described Anand as double-minded and questioned his commitment to the BSP and the Bahujan movement.
- Earlier remarks
- Anand criticised Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi at a BSP public meeting in Hathras last month.
- Youth outreach
- The BSP had used Anand in efforts to connect with younger voters, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha.