New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday removed her nephew Akash Anand from all party positions. Akash, who was previously seen as her political successor, was relieved of his role as national coordinator and all other responsibilities within the party. In his place, Mayawati appointed Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam and Akash’s father, Anand Kumar, as national coordinators.
Mayawati also clarified that as long as she was alive, she would not appoint anyone as her successor. This decision came despite her earlier statements where she had introduced Akash Anand as the future leader of the party and had entrusted him with key responsibilities.
Along with Akash Anand’s removal, Mayawati also took action against former MP and Akash’s father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth. She had already expelled Ashok Siddharth from BSP due to alleged anti-party activities. On Sunday, she accused him of creating divisions within the party and attempting to weaken it. She further held him responsible for negatively impacting Akash Anand’s political career.
Who is Ashok Siddharth?
Ashok Siddharth was earlier an influential leader in Bahujan Samaj Party and was considered close to Mayawati. His daughter, Pragya, is married to Akash Anand. Due to his association with Mayawati, he had been sent to Rajya Sabha on BSP ticket and was entrusted with several key responsibilities in the party.
Born on February 5, 1965, in Kaimganj, Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, Ashok Siddharth came from a political background. His father had close ties with BSP founder Kanshi Ram, and Ashok later joined BSP, following in his father’s footsteps. It was Mayawati who introduced him to politics and encouraged him to resign from his job to fully dedicate himself to the party. He also shared a strong relationship with Mayawati’s brother, Anand Kumar.
Ashok Siddharth, an eye doctor by profession, pursued his studies at Bundelkhand University and Maharani Laxmibai College. Over the years, he served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and a Rajya Sabha MP from July 5, 2016, to July 5, 2022. In 2018, he was given charge of BSP’s activities in Andhra Pradesh. He also held responsibilities for the party in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Odisha.
Mayawati’s fallout with Ashok Siddharth reportedly began earlier this year due to his son’s wedding in Agra. She was displeased with the way the event was handled and the selective invitations sent to leaders. Following this, she expelled him from BSP, accusing him of causing internal divisions within the party.
On Sunday, Mayawati reiterated her stance by removing Akash Anand from all leadership roles and saying that he was no longer her successor. She held Ashok Siddharth responsible for this decision, citing his role in negatively influencing Akash’s political career.
