In a significant political turnaround, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday reinstated her nephew Akash Anand into the party fold, just 41 days after removing him from all responsibilities-including his status as her declared political heir. The move, preceded by a public apology from Akash, signals a carefully calibrated strategy by the BSP supremo to reconnect with young Dalit voters amid growing competition from emerging leaders and rival parties.
Akash Anand, son of Mayawati’s younger brother Anand Kumar, had been fast-tracked through the party ranks since entering politics in 2017. With an MBA from London and youthful appeal, he was seen as the party’s next-generation face-appointed national coordinator in 2019 and twice declared Mayawati’s political successor, most recently in June 2024.
But on March 3, 2025, he was abruptly expelled, with Mayawati citing his “immaturity” and “arrogance.” She also accused his father-in-law, former Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth, of fomenting factionalism and attempting to derail Akash’s political career from within.
However, in a carefully timed gesture just two hours before his reinstatement was formally announced, Akash Anand posted a public apology to his aunt. In the letter, he took “full responsibility” for his actions, promised to sever political ties with his in-laws, and reaffirmed his loyalty to Mayawati and the party’s core Ambedkarite ideology. “I consider Behenji as my only political guru and ideal. I apologize for my past mistakes and promise never to act in a way that hurts the dignity of the party or its leadership again,” he wrote.
Though no formal post has been assigned to Akash upon his return, the reintegration is widely seen as a tactical response to the BSP’s eroding support among young Dalit voters. Over the past several weeks, Akash had maintained a conspicuous silence, while regularly amplifying Mayawati’s messages on social media-signaling continued alignment with her. Party insiders confirm that Akash’s apology was circulated on social media by BSP loyalists, suggesting that the reconciliation had been quietly orchestrated in advance.
The timing of the move is critical. The BSP, long the dominant force in Dalit politics, is facing stiff competition. Chandrashekhar Azad of the Bhim Army is rapidly gaining traction among young Dalits, while the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) have intensified their outreach to marginalized communities. The Congress’s recent Ahmedabad resolution on Dalit, tribal, and OBC inclusion drew a sharp social media rebuttal from Mayawati, further underlining the competitive churn in this voter base.
“Mayawati knows the battle for Dalit votes is intensifying,” said a senior BSP functionary. “Akash may have faltered, but his connect with young Dalits and educated Ambedkarites-especially in urban areas-remains strong.”
Akash Anand’s political journey within the BSP has been anything but smooth. In the past 15 months alone, he has twice been anointed Mayawati’s successor-only to be removed both times. Each exit was attributed to his perceived lack of political maturity. Yet, his reappearance on the party stage suggests that Mayawati sees potential in him, albeit under strict supervision.
Still, Mayawati made it clear that no one will succeed her as long as she remains active in politics.
“As long as I am healthy, I will not appoint any successor. The movement and the mission come first,” she asserted on Sunday, emphasizing that the Ambedkarite cause will always outweigh familial ties.
As the BSP prepares for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Akash Anand’s return marks both a political gamble and a generational experiment. Mayawati’s decision to bring him back-without immediately restoring his former position-reflects a blend of caution and necessity.
If Akash can evolve into a disciplined and mature leader under Mayawati’s mentorship, he may yet become the party’s bridge to a younger, more urban Dalit electorate. But for now, his comeback remains a calculated move to reinforce the BSP’s crumbling foundations in a fiercely contested political landscape.
