Will Akash Anand Join Samajwadi Party? Akhilesh Yadav Hints at Entry After Mayawati’s BSP Exit (Video)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has hinted at the possibility of inducting Akash Anand into his party, hours after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati declared her nephew "completely freed" from all responsibilities within her organization.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has hinted at the possibility of inducting Akash Anand into his party, hours after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati declared her nephew "completely freed" from all responsibilities within her organization. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow on Thursday, Yadav responded in jest when asked whether he would welcome the former BSP national coordinator into the SP fold if he sought to join.
"If you bring him, we will take him (Agar aap le aayenge, hum le lenge)," Yadav told reporters. Despite the lighthearted comment, the SP leader maintained that the leadership shakeup within the BSP remains an internal matter. He noted that leaders of rival political parties should refrain from commenting on decisions made inside another political outfit. After Mayawati's Ultimatum, Expelled BSP Leader Ashok Siddharth Takes 'sanyas' from Politics Amid Row over Akash Anand.
The development follows Mayawati’s announcement removing the 31-year-old Anand from the BSP. The decision came shortly after Anand's father-in-law, former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth, announced his retirement from active politics. Explaining her decision, the BSP chief stated that Anand appeared "double-minded" and questioned his commitment to the Bahujan movement, suggesting that his personal and family interests had begun to overshadow his political obligations. She further cited Anand’s failure to repost one of her recent social media updates on X as an indication of shifting priorities.
Anand had previously been stripped of his key organizational role as national coordinator on September 3. His complete removal marks a dramatic turn for a young leader once projected as Mayawati's political heir and tasked with leading youth outreach for the party. The rift also follows prior political friction between the two leaders. During a BSP rally in Hathras last month, Anand directed sharp jabs at Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding their age and seniority. Referencing Yadav’s age, Anand asked how else he could address the SP leader if not as "uncle." Akash Anand Expelled From BSP: Mayawati Expels Nephew From Bahujan Samaj Party, Day After Stripping Him of All Party Responsibilities.
Akhilesh Yadav Reacts to Akash Anand’s Removal from BSP
VIDEO | 'Agar aap le aayenge (If you can bring him)...': Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Akash Anand's possible entry into SP. pic.twitter.com/MpduZOFkcQ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 10, 2026
Asked on Thursday about those remarks, Yadav remarked that the Hindi equivalent of "uncle" carries multiple interpretations, including chacha, mausa, or phupha. He added humorously that he was surprised no one had asked him a question regarding phupha, referencing recent political banter surrounding the term in state politics. Neither Akash Anand nor his representatives have publicly commented on Yadav's remarks or outlined his immediate political plans.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2026 09:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
