LUCKNOW: “Respected Bahanji, I am not going to any other political party. Not today, not ever. The BSP is not just a party for me; it is my family.” Akash Anand’s declaration on Friday comes after weeks of uncertainty over his political future and nearly three weeks after Mayawati first removed him as the BSP’s national coordinator and then completely relieved him from the party on September 10.His latest message is seen as an attempt to make his position clear, but it also directly addresses the issue that became central to Mayawati’s decision: his silence when she asked his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, to retire from politics.Anand’s expulsion was the latest turn in a political relationship that had already seen repeated reversals.He had been expelled from the BSP in May 2024 and again in March 2025, only to be taken back within a month on both occasions and subsequently given important responsibilities. Last month, Mayawati removed him from the post of national coordinator, saying he needed greater political maturity and would not be entrusted with major organisational responsibilities for the time being.
The repost that became a loyalty test
The immediate trigger for the final break was Anand’s failure to repost a statement made by Mayawati on September 9.In a post on X, Mayawati had said that if Siddharth genuinely wanted what was best for his son-in-law, he should take complete political retirement so that Anand could work freely in the BSP. Anand did not repost the statement.Mayawati specifically pointed to the silence because, according to her, Anand had earlier reposted her statements to demonstrate his loyalty. This time, however, the statement concerned his father-in-law as well as Anand’s own political future.For Mayawati, the omission appeared to signify something larger. She said Anand remained more strongly attached to his family relationship with Siddharth than to the BSP and its movement. She questioned how he could effectively work for the party while remaining divided between familial ties and the organisation’s interests.
Siddharth’s retirement did not bring Anand back
Siddharth subsequently announced his retirement from politics on September 10. Mayawati described his decision as appropriate but also said it had come late.Rather than restoring Anand’s position, she announced that he too would be completely relieved from the BSP. She maintained that both Anand and Siddharth had shown greater attachment to personal and familial interests than to the party and its broader mission.The sequence was significant. Siddharth’s retirement, which had been presented as the condition that could allow Anand to work freely in the party, did not lead to Anand’s restoration. Instead, it was followed by the final break.
Anand now gives his version
Anand’s Friday post directly addresses that sequence. He called Mayawati his “political guru”, his “inspiration” and his paternal aunt, saying that everything he had learnt in politics had come from her and everything he had done had been under her guidance.He then addressed the speculation surrounding his political future, making an emphatic declaration that he would not join another party.“The BSP is not just a party for me; it is my family,” he said, while also placing his latest appeal directly before Mayawati and the wider Bahujan community.Crucially, Anand also backed Mayawati’s decision concerning Siddharth. He said her decision to expel his father-in-law and his subsequent political renunciation was “entirely appropriate” and that he stood by it.“Relationships have their place, but the mission is greater than them,” Anand said, adding that it was his responsibility to place the interests of the party and the movement above personal and familial interests.
His explanation for the missing repost
Anand also offered an explanation for the very silence that Mayawati had interpreted as a sign of divided loyalty.He said that at the time he had distanced himself from social media and therefore could not repost Mayawati’s post. According to Anand, his silence was subsequently misunderstood and created space for rumours about his political future.“If this has hurt you, then I seek forgiveness from you,” he said.The apology is central to Anand’s latest attempt to repair his relationship with Mayawati. Rather than challenging her interpretation of his silence, he acknowledged that it had caused hurt and sought forgiveness.
The request behind the apology
Anand’s post ultimately goes beyond denying rumours or explaining his social media absence. The post is seen as an attempt to seek another political opportunity.“I only seek the opportunity to serve the party and the mission again under your leadership,” he said, adding that trust is not built through words but through actions. He promised to prove himself through his conduct and hard work.He ended by defining his politics through three references: Baba Saheb’s mission, Manyavar Saheb’s path and Mayawati’s leadership.(With agency inputs)
