Mayawati puts 'sanyas' condition for Akash Anand's return to BSP

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has indicated that her nephew Akash Anand could return to an active role in the party if his father-in-law and former BSP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth gives up his political ambitions and retires from politics.In a post on X on Wednesday, Mayawati said Siddharth still had an opportunity to put the interests of the BSP and the Bahujan Movement above his personal and family interests by taking “sanyas”, or complete retirement, from politics.She said only then would Akash Anand be able to work freely in the BSP, adding that the party could sympathetically consider restoring the responsibilities earlier given to him and allowing him to resume an active role.Mayawati’s remarks came days after she removed Akash Anand from the post of BSP national coordinator at a national-level meeting of party office-bearers in Lucknow on September 3. At the meeting, she had said Anand needed to attain greater “political maturity” and that she would not entrust him with major organisational responsibilities for the time being. WHY MAYAWATI RAISED ASHOK SIDDHARTH’S ‘SANYAS’Mayawati said the BSP leadership had been taking disciplinary action against those who attempted to obstruct the party’s efforts. She described Siddharth as a prominent example of such action.According to Mayawati, the party had given Siddharth several opportunities to correct his conduct. However, she alleged that he repeatedly gave greater importance to his “personal and family interests and ambitions” than to the BSP’s mission. She said the consequences were faced not only by Siddharth but also by his son-in-law, Akash Anand.Mayawati alleged that Siddharth had not given adequate importance to the interests of Akash Anand or the BSP movement because of his personal interests. She said he should instead have set an example of greater sacrifice and dedication towards the party, the Bahujan Movement and society.BSP ACTION AGAINST ASHOK SIDDHARTHSiddharth, who has served as a BSP Rajya Sabha member, was expelled from the party on August 2 over allegations of repeated indiscipline, an anti-party stance and failure to discharge his responsibilities effectively.Mayawati said the BSP leadership continued to assess the conduct and behaviour of people who had gone astray and take steps to bring them back where possible, while disciplinary action was being taken against those who sought to hinder the party’s efforts.She said Siddharth could still set aside his political ambitions and personal interests and retire from politics in the interest of the BSP, the Bahujan Movement, his family and Akash Anand.AKASH ANAND’S POSSIBLE RETURN TO BSPMayawati said that if Siddharth took complete sanyas from politics, it would make it possible for Akash Anand to work freely within the BSP.She added that, in such a situation, the party could sympathetically consider restoring Anand’s earlier responsibilities so that he could play an active role in the organisation.The statement has brought Akash Anand’s possible return to the BSP back into focus while putting the spotlight on whether Siddharth will step away from active politics.MAYAWATI’S APPEAL AHEAD OF ELECTIONSMayawati also appealed to members of the Bahujan Samaj, particularly Dalits, not to undertake any action driven by personal or family interests that could hinder the BSP’s political campaign.She said the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab were particularly important for the BSP and the broader Bahujan Movement.According to Mayawati, the elections are significant for the movement’s efforts to advance the self-respect and self-esteem of the Bahujan Samaj and take forward its goal of becoming a ruling class from an exploited section, in line with the vision associated with Dr BR Ambedkar.She called on BSP workers, office-bearers, supporters and well-wishers to work with full dedication to secure strong electoral gains in the three states.Mayawati also sought support from people across communities, saying the BSP and the Bahujan Movement were facing challenges from opposition parties and “casteist elements”, particularly on issues such as reservation.- EndsPublished On: Sep 9, 2026 19:11 IST