Why Mayawati forgave her nephew Akash Anand after expelling him for 'immaturity'

BSP chief Mayawati (R) and nephew Akash Anand

On Sunday, BSP supremo Mayawati announced the re-induction of her nephew Akash Anand into the party, 41 days after expelling him from all responsibilities, including his position as her declared political heir. The reinstatement, preceded by a public apology from Akash, underscores the mounting pressure within the party to reclaim its hold over young Dalit voters amid rising influence of leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad and the Dalit outreach strategies of parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party.

Akash Anand, son of Mayawati’s youngest brother Anand Kumar, was once considered the BSP’s next-generation face. A London-educated MBA, Akash first entered politics in 2017 and rose quickly, being made national coordinator in 2019 and declared Mayawati’s successor not once, but twice in the past 15 months.

However, on March 3, 2025, Mayawati expelled him from the party, blaming his “immaturity,” “arrogance,” and negative influence from his father-in-law, former BSP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth. She accused Siddharth of indulging in factionalism and anti-party activities, even alleging that he attempted to derail Akash’s political future from within.

Two hours before the formal announcement of his return, Akash posted a heartfelt apology addressed to his aunt, taking full responsibility for his actions. In his letter, he vowed to sever any political influence from his in-laws and pledged loyalty to Mayawati and the party’s core ideology.

“I consider Behenji as my only political guru and ideal. I apologize for my past mistakes and promise never to act in a way that hurts the dignity of the party or its leadership again,” he wrote.

A return scripted in advance?

While reinstated into the party, Akash has not been assigned any formal post—signaling caution on Mayawati’s part. Political observers say the script of Akash’s return was carefully written over the past few weeks. He had kept a studied silence since his expulsion and consistently reposted Mayawati’s social media updates, showcasing his continued alignment with her views.

Sources within the BSP confirm that his apology letter was circulated on social media by party insiders, indicating that reconciliation was premeditated.

Analysts see this move as a tactical response to growing challenges for the BSP among Dalit voters. Chandrashekhar Azad’s recent rise and the Dalit mobilization efforts of SP—especially through leaders like Ramji Lal Suman in western UP—have started to chip away at BSP’s traditional base. The Congress too passed a resolution on Dalit, tribal, and OBC inclusion during its Ahmedabad session, prompting a sharp rebuke from Mayawati on social media.

Given these shifting political dynamics, Akash's re-entry appears aimed at rejuvenating the party’s appeal among young Dalits, especially in urban constituencies.

“Mayawati knows the battle for Dalit votes is intensifying,” said a senior BSP functionary. “Akash may have faltered in the past, but his appeal among young Dalits and educated middle-class Ambedkarites cannot be ignored.”

Political analyst Ravi Kant from Lucknow University noted, "Akash's rebellious attitude and direct attacks on the BJP and RSS appealed to the youth. The sudden move to remove him disappointed the youth, and the party had to bear the brunt of it in the Lok Sabha elections. It sent a message among the youth that the party is dominated by the BJP and the Sangh."

A history of ups and downs

This is not the first time Akash Anand has seen his political fate swing in BSP’s power corridors. In the last 15 months, he was declared Mayawati’s successor twice—once in December 2023 and again in June 2024—only to be removed both times, most recently in March 2025.

The official explanation has consistently been his "lack of maturity." But now, the party seems to have placed renewed hope in his ability to evolve and stay disciplined under Mayawati’s direct mentorship.

Despite Akash’s return, Mayawati has reiterated that no one will succeed her in the party “as long as she is alive.” In her statement on Sunday, she said the party and the Ambedkarite movement would always take precedence over family ties. “As long as I am healthy, I will not appoint any successor. The movement and the mission come first,” she declared.

As BSP positions itself ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the return of Akash Anand marks both a political risk and a potential generational shift—one that Mayawati hopes will re-energize the party without compromising its core ideology.