A file photo shows BSP chief Mayawati with her nephews Akash Anand (right) and Ishan Anand (left).
The development came hours after Akash’s father-in-law and former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth announced his retirement from politics.
Mayawati had said that if Siddharth genuinely wanted what was best for his son-in-law, he should retire from politics completely, allowing Akash to work freely in the BSP. But rather than paving the way for Akash’s return to a position of responsibility, Siddharth’s retirement was followed by Mayawati’s decision to sever Akash’s remaining ties with the party. She had also linked any possible restoration of responsibilities to Siddharth’s retirement.
Against this backdrop, the reported immediate reposting of Mayawati’s Thursday statement by Akash’s younger brother, Ishan Anand, assumes significance. Earlier reporting noted: Though she did not openly say that he has been expelled from the party, sources in the party confirmed the same.
LUCKNOW: A failure to repost a social media post appears to have sealed Akash Anand’s fate in the Bahujan Samaj Party ( BSP ), with party chief Mayawati on Thursday announcing that her nephew had been “completely freed” from the organisation. She said it showed that Akash remained more strongly attached to his family ties than to the party and its movement. Mayawati had then said Akash needed greater political maturity and would not be entrusted with major organisational responsibilities for the time being. She questioned whether he could effectively serve the party while remaining “double-minded” between family relationships and the interests of the organisation. Earlier reporting noted: Mayawati expels Akash Anand from BSP after Ashok Siddharth announces ‘sanyas’ BSP national president Mayawati has again expelled her nephew Akash Anand from the party. (File Photo) Earlier reporting noted: LUCKNOW: In a major development unfolding in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), party national president Mayawati, on Thursday, said that Akash Anand, her nephew, and former national convener of the party, has been “fully relieved” from the party.
For Mayawati, the omission appeared to carry a larger meaning. Mayawati has lately assigned Ishan significant responsibilities in the party. Mayawati has now made her position clear: Akash is no longer part of the BSP.