Story perspectives

Mayawati removes Akash Anand, appoints brother Ishan

9/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mayawati removed Akash Anand as the BSP’s chief national coordinator in Uttar Pradesh on September 3, 2026.
She said reinstatement required his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth to retire from politics.
Mayawati posted the condition on X, accusing Siddharth of putting personal and family interests above the BSP mission.
She instructed party official Mewalal Gautam to order district presidents to unfollow Anand and Siddharth on social media.
On September 7, 2026, she appointed Ishan Anand, Akash’s younger brother, as the BSP’s chief sector coordinator.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram, the Bahujan Samaj Party saw Mayawati become its first Dalit chief minister in June 1995 after breaking the Samajwadi alliance and briefly allying with the BJP, a move that sparked internal power struggles. Her 2023 dismissal of nephew Akash Anand as successor echoes that turmoil, threatening cadre unity before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh election.

1 of 2

Story summary

Mayawati removed Akash Anand as the BSP’s chief national coordinator in Uttar Pradesh on September 3, 2026.
She said reinstatement required his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth to retire from politics.
Mayawati posted the condition on X, accusing Siddharth of putting personal and family interests above the BSP mission.
She instructed party official Mewalal Gautam to order district presidents to unfollow Anand and Siddharth on social media.
On September 7, 2026, she appointed Ishan Anand, Akash’s younger brother, as the BSP’s chief sector coordinator.

1 / 2