Internal turmoil has gripped the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) following a dramatic escalation in the family feud between party supremo Mayawati and her nephews, Akash and Ishan Anand. The developments threaten the party’s preparedness for upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Recent Developments and Family Dynamics
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Akash Anand’s Demotion: Once viewed as Mayawati’s virtual Number 2 and designated successor, Akash was ousted from his position as National Convenor after Mayawati deemed him “not mature.” His X bio subsequently shifted from “National Convenor, BSP” to “Party Worker,” and later to “Party Supporter,” signaling a widening rift.
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Ishan Anand’s Rise: Akash’s younger brother, Ishan, has stepped into a prominent role. Appointed as “Chief Sector Coordinator,” Ishan is slated to oversee party affairs in West Bengal and Odisha, reporting directly to Mayawati and their father, BSP Vice President Anand Kumar.
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Centralized Control: Following Akash’s removal, Mayawati has taken direct command of electoral strategies for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand from the Lucknow headquarters, sidelining potential parallel power structures.
A Pattern of Punishments and Promotions The infighting reflects a volatile history of political promotions and abrupt expulsions:
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The Succession Cycle: Akash was anointed successor in September 2023, stripped of roles in May 2024, reinstated in June 2024, expelled and readmitted in March 2025, and promoted to National Convenor in August 2025 before being removed again.
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Underlying Tensions: Party insiders report that Mayawati suspects Akash remains under the influence of his expelled father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, seeking undue control over candidate selection and party fundraising.
Strategic Pressures and the Future The leadership shuffle leaves Anand Kumar in a difficult position as the father of both rivals while serving as the lone vice president under his sister’s absolute authority. Educated in the UK—Akash with an MBA from the University of Plymouth and Ishan with a legal degree from the University of Westminster—both brothers have previously managed family businesses.
As the BSP looks ahead to crucial state elections, the party faces mounting pressure to protect its traditional Dalit-Jatav vote bank. With young Dalit voters increasingly leaning toward Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party, the BSP’s lack of a clear, stable young face leaves its future strategy uncertain.
