Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Mayawati Removes Akash Anand Again, Deepening BSP Succession Uncertainty
Mayawati leads the Bahujan Samaj Party, or BSP.
She once said her nephew Akash Anand could become her successor.
She has now removed him from an important party job again.
Mayawati says he is not yet politically mature enough for major responsibility.
Anand often speaks more aggressively against other political parties and governments than Mayawati does.
He has also tried to make party officials more accountable.
These actions may have caused disagreements inside the BSP.
Mayawati wants younger leaders but also wants to keep tight control of the party.
Anand’s future in the BSP is therefore unclear.
Mayawati removed Akash Anand as national coordinator at the BSP’s national executive meeting earlier this month, citing political immaturity.
Anand’s combative speeches and criticism of rival parties and governments reportedly contributed to the latest decision.
His efforts to question inactive office-bearers and demand accountability also appear to have unsettled parts of the party organisation.
Anand has repeatedly gained and lost senior responsibilities since Mayawati named him successor in December 2023.
The latest removal leaves Anand’s political future and the BSP’s succession plans uncertain ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections.
- Who
- BSP leader Mayawati and her nephew Akash Anand are at the center of the dispute.
- What
- Mayawati removed Anand as national coordinator, renewing uncertainty over his role and the BSP’s succession.
- When
- The latest removal occurred at a national executive meeting earlier this month; Anand’s leadership role has changed repeatedly since December 2023.
- Where
- Within the Bahujan Samaj Party, ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections.
- Why
- Mayawati cited Anand’s lack of political maturity, while his confrontational speeches and organisational interventions appear to have caused concern.
Mayawati’s Cautious Control
Anand’s Assertive Renewal
Political style
Mayawati’s Cautious Control
Mayawati favors tight organisational control, carefully calibrated messaging and calculated political positioning.
Anand’s Assertive Renewal
Anand has developed a more combative public style, directly attacking rival parties, leaders and governments.
Organisational change
Mayawati’s Cautious Control
Mayawati appears concerned that Anand’s actions could create political controversies and unsettle the party structure.
Anand’s Assertive Renewal
Anand’s questioning of inactive office-bearers and demands for accountability could be viewed as an attempt to revive the BSP.
Succession
Mayawati’s Cautious Control
Mayawati has repeatedly withheld or withdrawn Anand’s responsibilities, stressing organisational commitment and the Bahujan movement over family entitlement.
Anand’s Assertive Renewal
Anand appears to be seeking an independent political identity rather than relying only on his position as Mayawati’s nephew.
- Party
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
- Leader
- Mayawati
- Removed leader
- Akash Anand
- Latest action
- Removed as national coordinator at the BSP’s national executive meeting
- First succession announcement
- Mayawati announced Anand as her successor and national coordinator on December 10, 2023
- Earlier expulsion
- Anand was removed from all responsibilities on March 2, 2025, and expelled from the party the following day
- Election context
- The developments come ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections