Akash Anand’s third innings: How Mayawati’s nephew found his way back to BSP

But 41 days later, and hours after Akash offered a public apology on Sunday, Mayawati decided to give him “another chance”. However, this chance to work again in the BSP came with the condition that he would have to “respect his seniors” and “not give in” to his father-in-law’s advice.

“The mistakes of Akash’s father-in-law Ashok Siddharth are unforgivable. He has left no stone unturned in ruining Akash’s career along with his gross anti-party activities like factionalism. Therefore, the question of forgiving him and taking him back into the party does not arise,” Mayawati wrote on social media.

Sources in the BSP said Akash’s father Anand Kumar, who is also party vice president, played a role in convincing Mayawati, his elder sister, to give his son another chance. “They are all family members. Certainly discussion would have happened. I am not sure whether Akash met her after expulsion or not,” said a senior BSP leader.

“In recent days, several people who met Behan ji (Mayawati) in Lucknow told her that Akash ji is a highly educated youth and a good speaker, and his work can benefit the party. It was said some people around him misguided him,” said a Lucknow-based senior BSP functionary.

Sources said Akash’s return was decided on Sunday itself, and he published his apology after discussing with Mayawati’s office. Within minutes of Akash’s statement, senior BSP leaders, who usually share Mayawati’s public remarks, circulated it.

Akash was first appointed BSP national coordinator following the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and was tasked with handling the BSP’s 2024 Lok Sabha campaign. However, in May 2024, after being booked for “promoting enmity” during a campaign speech in Sitapur during last year’s Lok Sabha polls, Mayawati removed her nephew as the national coordinator and her political heir.

Akash was given a second chance after 47 days, when Mayawati reinstated him, both as national coordinator and her successor, last June.

In March, he was removed as national coordinator for the second time and expelled from the party. Sources said Akash was anxious after his expulsion. As national coordinator and Mayawati’s successor, he had wielded considerable influence in the party, and his role in pan-India organisational affairs had been growing. During the Delhi Assembly polls earlier this year, he chaired meetings with local leaders to review preparations.

When she sacked Akash in March, Mayawati also declared that the party would not name a successor “as long as she is alive”. She also divided the national coordinator post, with Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam and veteran leader Randhir Singh Beniwal sharing the role. Given the new organisational structure, party insiders are not clear about Akash’s next role. “Certainly his presence will strengthen the party. Party workers are happy with his re-induction. But it is not clear whether he will be holding any post or functioning as an ordinary worker with Behan ji,” said a BSP leader in Delhi.

In his apology post on Sunday, Akash assured his aunt that he would not take any advice from relatives or others on political decisions. Sources said the assurance was being viewed in the context of a meeting in the national capital ahead of Assembly polls in which Akash, in Mayawati’s presence, questioned a report that a Delhi leader presented on the formation of sector committees. Sources said some of the leaders later expressed unhappiness with Akash’s action.