BSP's Akash Anand Removed as National Convenor: A Third Fall in Three Years

In an unprecedented political move, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has once again removed her nephew, Akash Anand, from the party's number two position. This marks the third time in three years that he has been elevated and then unceremoniously stripped of a major role, a sequence with no parallel in Indian political history.

The decision was announced during a national-level meeting of party office-bearers in Lucknow. Mayawati stated that Akash Anand "still needs to mature" and that it would be inappropriate to give him major responsibility until then. Akash, who had launched the party's campaign for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections just three weeks ago, was notably absent from the meeting. His younger brother, Ishan Anand, was present, standing behind Mayawati, signaling a potential shift in the party's internal dynamics.

Akash's political journey has been a rollercoaster. Propelled into prominence by his aunt, he was appointed national coordinator and later anointed as her political heir in September 2023. However, he was sacked before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections following allegations of using unparliamentary language during campaign speeches. He was re-inducted and made national convenor, only to be removed again in 2025, reinstated, and now dismissed once more.

Sources suggest that recent events may have triggered this latest action. These include his aggressive attacks on the Uttar Pradesh and central governments at a rally in Hathras, a social media post defending a cab driver who objected to casteist remarks by passengers, and his criticism of the state government's spending on advertisements. Analysts believe Mayawati, known for her cautious and controlled style, may have been uncomfortable with Akash's strident approach and his growing popularity among party workers.

The repeated removals have left BSP cadres confused and concerned about the party's future leadership and its ability to campaign effectively, especially as Mayawati's public appearances have become limited and the party's electoral fortunes have declined sharply since its historic 2007 win in Uttar Pradesh.