On Monday, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati removed her nephew, Akash Anand, from the party. She stated that his dismissal was due to his "selfish and arrogant" reaction after being relieved of his responsibilities.

“In the interest of the self-respect and self-esteem movement of the most revered Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and following the tradition of discipline of the venerable Kanshiram, Akash Anand, like his father-in-law, is expelled from the party in the interest of the party and the movement,” Mayawati declared the news on her X handle.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister criticised Anand for his lack of political maturity. He claimed he was influenced by his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, who was also expelled for “factionalism.” She stated that Anand’s detailed response to his removal did not reflect remorse or political understanding but was instead rooted in arrogance.

Mayawati stressed that Anand should have accepted his removal with maturity. “In the BSP’s All-India meeting yesterday, Akash Anand was relieved from all responsibilities, including the post of National Coordinator, due to his continued influence under his father-in-law. For this, he should have repented and shown maturity,” she further said.

A day after being removed from his position, Akash Anand responded with defiance, asserting that he remained committed to the Bahujan movement. Describing the decision as “personally emotional” yet a “big challenge,” he pledged to continue advocating for the rights of marginalised communities.

“The test is difficult, and the fight is long. Patience and determination are the true companions in such difficult times,” Anand wrote on X. He highlighted that the Bahujan movement was an idea that could not be silenced and declared that “lakhs of Akash Anands” were ready to carry its legacy forward.

After Anand was removed, Mayawati appointed Anand Kumar and Ramji Gautam as the new national coordinators of the BSP. Additionally, Anand’s father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, was dismissed from the party for allegedly sowing division in the party.