Mayawati Keeps Akash Anand, Sister Away From BSP Roles; Ishan Anand to Get Party Responsibility
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati announced on Sunday that her nephew Akash Anand and his sister will be kept away from party responsibilities permanently. Instead, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister confirmed that another nephew, Ishan Anand, will be given a role within the organisational structure.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday announced a fresh change in the role of her family members within the party, ruling out any organisational responsibility for her nephew Akash Anand and his sister Deepika Anand. She said her younger nephew Ishan Anand, however, would be given a “respectable” role in the party and taken forward.
The announcement came ahead of the BSP's All-India meeting on September 23, as Mayawati outlined her latest position on the involvement of family members in the party. Ashok Siddharth, Expelled BSP Leader, Quits Politics After Mayawati’s Retirement Advice.
Mayawati Keeps Akash Anand, Sister Away From BSP Roles
1. आज मेरा पुनः पार्टी के लोगों से यही कहना है कि मेरे ख़ुद के अनुभव को मद्देनज़र रखते हुये यदि इनको राजनीति में कामयाब होना है और समाज के लिए कुछ करना है तो उन्हें मेरी तरह अपने भाई-बहिनों व नज़दीकी रिश्ते-नातों आदि के मोह से ऊपर उठकर अपनी पूरी ईमानदारी व निष्ठा से कार्य करना…
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) September 20, 2026
Akash, Deepika to Remain Away From Party Responsibilities
In a post on X, Mayawati said Akash Anand and Deepika Anand would remain away from organisational responsibilities and that there would be no change in this decision. Mayawati said she had reconsidered the involvement of members of her brother Anand Kumar's family after assessing developments within the party and drawing on her own political experience.
She particularly referred to Akash's conduct and activities following his marriage, saying these had led to his separation from the BSP again. Mayawati also alleged that Akash had become closely associated with his father-in-law, former BSP leader Ashok Siddharth. Mayawati Warns Gen Z Against ‘Conspiracies’ by BJP and Congress, Citing Hijacked Student Protests.
Ishan Anand to Be Given a Role
While ruling out roles for Akash and Deepika, Mayawati said Ishan Anand, another son of Anand Kumar, would be given a “respectable responsibility” in the BSP.
She said Ishan would be taken forward from the family and expressed the view that he would not face the circumstances that had surrounded Akash and his sister. At the same time, Mayawati cautioned that future developments could not be predicted.
Mayawati also set out a condition for Ishan's continuation. If he were to commit a serious anti-party act, she said he would be removed, and no other member of Anand Kumar's family would subsequently be given a party position. In that situation, she said, a dedicated BSP worker would instead be brought forward.
Decision Follows Series of Changes
Mayawati's latest announcement follows several changes involving Akash Anand's position in the BSP. Akash, who had earlier been given a prominent organisational role and was named Mayawati's political successor in 2023, was subsequently removed from responsibilities. In September, his name was omitted from the party's organisational structure, while Ishan's involvement increased.
On September 12, Mayawati had said neither Akash nor Ishan would be given a political post, while leaving open the possibility of a role for their sister Deepika. Her latest statement reverses that position regarding Ishan and closes the possibility of a party role for Deepika as well.
Mayawati Cites Kanshi Ram and Ambedkar
In explaining the decision, Mayawati referred to BSP founder Kanshi Ram's approach to keeping family members away from political benefits and said she had tried to follow similar principles.
She also cited an example involving BR Ambedkar and his son Yashwant Ambedkar to underline her argument that political and organisational responsibilities should be separated from family considerations.
Mayawati said people seeking success in politics and wanting to work for society should rise above attachment to siblings and close relatives and work with honesty and commitment.
BSP's September 23 Meeting
The latest decision comes days before the BSP's scheduled September 23 All-India meeting, where organisational matters are expected to remain a key focus. The developments also come ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, adding significance to the BSP's ongoing organisational changes and its approach to leadership within the party.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2026 05:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
