Mayawati’s big BSP decision: No political roles for nephews Akash, Ishan

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday announced what she called her “final decision” that neither of her brother Anand Kumar’s sons, Akash Anand and Ishan Anand, would be given any political position in the party.

The announcement came days after she removed her nephew Akash Anand from key responsibilities in the BSP, underlining the challenges facing the party leadership ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

In a lengthy post on X in Hindi, Mayawati said her sole concern was the interest and welfare of the “Bahujan Samaj family”.

She said that, like BSP founder Kanshi Ram, she had always kept her brothers, sisters, younger family members and close relatives away from positions such as MP, MLA, minister or any other post carrying political benefits, restricting them to party work.

"Like Kanshi Ram ji, I too have always kept my brothers, sisters, young family members, and close relations away from positions as MP, MLA, minister, or any other post offering political benefit, by confining them to party work," she said.

Mayawati said that, as she was unmarried, she had been compelled to keep her youngest brother, Anand Kumar, with her for support and security. She said he had also been handling important party responsibilities under her supervision for a long time.

"Not only this, since I am unmarried, I am forced to keep one of my siblings -- finally my youngest brother Anand Kumar -- with me. He not only takes care of me but has also been carrying out important party responsibilities under my supervision for a long time. However, if his family members also take advantage of this, then it will not be in the interest of the party and the movement," she said.

Making her position clear, the BSP chief said neither of Anand Kumar’s sons would be allowed to hold any position, whether major or minor, in the party. She said that if her brother needed assistance, he could seek help from his daughter, Kumari Deepika Anand, who is studying law.

"Therefore, today it is my final decision and pledge that in return, none of his sons, in particular, will be allowed to engage in politics by holding any position, big or small, within the BSP. If Anand Kumar, while remaining with me, needs another member to assist him, then in the current political situation, he can seek the help of his only daughter, Kumari Deepika Anand, who is currently studying law. He can then, based on her honesty, loyalty, and efficiency, assign her his own responsibilities within the party as needed," she said.

Mayawati said Anand Kumar should not hand over his responsibilities to his sons or their children in the future. If his daughter did not wish to take up the responsibility, he could, with the party’s consent, assign it to another committed worker from the Dalit community.

"This is the need of the hour and in the party's best interest," Mayawati said.

She said Kanshi Ram had firmly opposed nepotism and that she, as his disciple, remained committed to the same principle.

"If I weren't a girl, I wouldn't have kept any of my brothers and sisters with me, just like Kanshi Ram ji. However, because I am a girl, I have been forced to keep my youngest brother, Anand Kumar, with me to ensure my safety, free from all hassles, and to continue moving forward in the party with full respect and dignity. And now that his children are grown and married, I am facing many issues. But I will not allow any harm to come to the party by avoiding attachment or anything else," Mayawati said.

The BSP chief said that even after a government was formed, only the person concerned would be given an opportunity, and no other member of his family would be allowed to derive political benefit under his cover.

She also urged BSP workers and supporters to remain alert to what she described as “poisonous, conspiratorial, sponsored and paid propaganda” by anti-BSP parties and organisations, as well as casteist sections of the media and social media.

Mayawati said such efforts were aimed at preventing the BSP from forming a government in Uttar Pradesh and should not be allowed to succeed.

She also dismissed as fake reports circulating on social media that the party would take back members expelled for indiscipline or anti-party activities.

On Thursday, Mayawati had announced that Akash Anand had been “freed” from the party. Her statement came shortly after Akash’s father-in-law and former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth announced his retirement from politics.

Mayawati had questioned whether Akash, whose personal and family interests she said appeared to have taken precedence over his political career and the party’s interests, could effectively work for the BSP while remaining “double-minded”.

She also said Akash’s failure to repost one of her earlier X posts indicated that he was more attached to family ties than to the BSP and its movement.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is due in 2027. PTI