The BSP Supremo Mayawati rarely displays such vocal and aggressive responses concerning family members in politics. While removing her nephew Akash Anand from the BSP, Mayawati stated in a BSP press release,
"Regarding Mr. Akash Anand, as you know, he is married to the daughter of Mr. Ashok Siddharth. Now, after Mr. Siddharth's expulsion from the party, how much influence he and his daughter have over Akash remains to be seen."
Mayawati expressed disappointment over this matter, stating that the effects so far seem far from positive. Consequently, Akash Anand has been removed from all party responsibilities for the benefit of the party movement.
Holding Akash Anand's father-in-law Ashok Siddharth accountable for this development, Mayawati said,
"For the party and the movement's interests, Mr. Akash Anand has been relieved of all responsibilities. The party is not to blame; instead, it's his father-in-law, Mr. Ashok Siddharth, who's entirely responsible for damaging the party and derailing Mr. Akash Anand's political career."
The young 30-year-old Akash Anand addresses Mayawati as 'Aunt Mother,' a tribute that once filled her with hope for his potential. Akash experienced many highs and lows in his brief BSP tenure. Within two years, this marks the second occasion he has been dismissed from the role of BSP's national coordinator and successor.
Being the son of Mayawati's younger brother, Anand Kumar, Akash completed his schooling in Delhi and pursued an MBA in London.
The Political Lessons from 'Aunt'
He returned to India in 2017, accompanying Mayawati to Saharanpur in May that year, a place marred by Thakur-Dalit conflicts. Coming from London, the new environment taught Akash political lessons from his aunt, taking him to Saharanpur to mold his career in social engineering. This marked the beginning of Akash's political training.
In September 2017, Mayawati formally introduced Akash Anand to party activists when the BJP had made a strong comeback in UP, and the BSP was reduced to 19 seats.
By 2019, Akash was playing an active role in the party, and he is credited with bringing Mayawati to Twitter.
Source: aajtak
During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when Mayawati formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, Akash's prominence grew.
During this period, when the Election Commission restricted Mayawati from campaigning for 48 hours, Akash conducted his first independent rally with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and then-RLD chief Ajit Singh joining him onstage.
Gradually, Akash became more entwined with the BSP and its movement, creating a strong recall among Dalit voters.
In 2021, Mayawati appointed Akash as BSP's national coordinator. His strong presence on Twitter and his aggressive speeches made him popular among the youth. However, Akash's lack of understanding of BSP's aggression led to him failing to grasp his aunt's strategies effectively.
In 2023, Mayawati entrusted him with significant responsibilities during the Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Telangana assembly elections. Although results were underwhelming, his efforts were noted.
In Rajasthan, the party contested 184 seats, winning only two, with BSP's vote share dropping to 1.81%.
Against Chandrashekhar, Mayawati Places Her London-Returned Nephew
In December 2023 in Lucknow, Mayawati announced Akash as her political heir. With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, another rapidly emerging Dalit leader, Chandrashekhar Azad, was making waves. For Mayawati, countering this figure was crucial, leading her to choose her London-returned nephew, Akash Anand.
This move was seen as an attempt to give BSP new direction and alleviate concerns about leadership post-Mayawati. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Akash's first rally in Nagina targeted Chandrashekhar Azad, enhancing his aggressive image.
Akash was instructed to steer the party with a focus on Dalits, minorities, OBCs, and tribals.
He challenged the complacency of older leaders and strove to make BSP relevant in the digital age.
The Rise Was Fast, The Fall Equally Sudden
Mayawati tested Akash's leadership by sending him to manage the party in Delhi and Haryana, but he failed to create an impact in both assemblies. According to the Indian Express, in Haryana, the party contested 35 seats but won none, with the vote share falling to 1.86%. In the capital, none of the 68 candidates won, and the vote share dropped to 0.57%.
The Rally That Strained Mayawati's Patience
However, there was an incident before this. It began with a rally where Akash Anand aggressively targeted the BJP.
On May 7, 2024, after the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Mayawati abruptly removed Akash from the roles of national coordinator and successor, citing a lack of "complete maturity."
Source: aajtak
Mayawati's decision followed a rally in Sitapur on April 19 where Akash grabbed attention with his stinging attacks on the BJP. Some analysts believe his aggressive style benefited the SP, which didn't sit well with Mayawati. In this rally, Akash labeled the BJP as a 'party of terrorists.'
Throughout this election, Mayawati avoided targeting the BJP directly, focusing on the Congress and Samajwadi Party instead.
Initially Dismissed, Then a Comeback
Party insiders believed Mayawati removed him from the national coordinator role during campaigning due to this. Later, Akash admitted in an Indian Express interview that he often turned aggressive in speeches, unable to contain his anger over the "injustices" faced by people, particularly Dalits.
After the 2024 elections, Akash Anand returned to BSP politics. Mayawati elevated him with national responsibilities related to organization and campaigns.
The Villainous Role of Akash's Father-in-law and Wife's Influence Highlighted
Just as Akash Anand was climbing the BSP success ladder, he married Ashok Siddharth's daughter Pragya Siddharth on March 27, 2023.
Ashok Siddharth was initially among Mayawati's trusted circle, making it to her loyalist list first as MLC and later as a Rajya Sabha MP till 2022.
However, politics evolved. On February 12, 2024, Mayawati posted on X, announcing Ashok Siddharth's expulsion from BSP for indulging in factionalism despite warnings. She stated he was removed due to anti-party activities.
Mayawati emphasized Ashok Siddharth, Akash's in-law, was responsible for splitting the party into two factions across India, weakening it, an intolerable act.
It's said Mayawati's trust was instrumental in Akash Anand's marriage to Siddharth's daughter Pragya. Ashok Siddharth played a key role in reinstating Akash as national coordinator.
On Sunday, Mayawati called Ashok Siddharth the villain, stating that it's Ashok Siddharth entirely responsible for this situation due to the negative impact on Akash and the party. Regarding Pragya's influence from her father and on Akash, she observed the lack of anything positive in this matter.
Mayawati learned a lesson, deciding her brother Anand Kumar would now marry his children into non-political families to protect BSP's movement, showing her trust in brother Anand.
Trust in Brother Anand Maintained
In a BSP press release on Sunday, Mayawati expressed full trust in her brother Anand Kumar. Assigning him the role of national coordinator, she clarified that Anand Kumar hadn't disappointed or harmed the party movement. She entrusted him with all party work in Delhi. Additionally, she stated she wouldn't name a successor during her lifetime.
