Mayawati 'frees' nephew Akash Anand from BSP after father-in-law quits politics

BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday said her nephew Akash Anand has been “completely freed” from the party, hours after his father-in-law and former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth announced his retirement from politics.

Mayawati questioned whether Anand, whose personal and family interests she said appeared to have taken precedence over his political career and the party's interests, could effectively work for the BSP while remaining “double-minded”.

She also said Anand's failure to repost one of her earlier posts on X reflected his greater attachment to family ties than to the BSP and its movement.

“Therefore, the people in the party feel that just as he was relieved of all the important responsibilities of the post of national coordinator on September 3, 2026, he should now also be completely freed from the party from today,” Mayawati said in a post on X.

“If Akash Anand wants to remain independent in the party, he is free to do so; that is, he has now been completely freed from the party,” she added.

Mayawati described Siddharth's retirement as a “correct step”, though one taken late, and said the BSP had sought it in the larger interest of the party, its movement and Anand.

“Today, the announcement by Ashok Siddharth to retire from politics is a correct step, though taken very late,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Siddharth announced his retirement from political and social life after Mayawati had linked his decision to any future restoration of responsibilities to Anand, his son-in-law.

In an emotional post on X, the former Rajya Sabha member said he was retiring from political and social life “right now”. He also said that if he ever had to give his life for Mayawati, it would be a matter of pride for him.

The latest developments come after Mayawati removed Anand from all key responsibilities in the BSP on September 3, further deepening the uncertainty over his political role in the party.