BSP Leadership Transition: Mayawati Designates Nephew Akash Anand as Successor

Lucknow- Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has officially declared her nephew, Akash Anand, as her successor. The announcement came during a party meeting in Lucknow on Sunday, where Mayawati handed over the responsibility for all decisions related to the party to Akash Anand. The decision marks a significant development in BSP's leadership transition.

Mayawati, accompanied by Akash Anand, made the announcement during the meeting. Akash Anand, 28, has been actively involved in BSP's activities over the past six years, and recently, Mayawati entrusted him with responsibilities in four states. Initially introduced on political stages alongside Mayawati, Akash Anand was given key roles such as party coordinator.

Akash describes himself as "A young supporter of Baba Saheb's vision" on his X handle. Since August this year, Akash Anand's presence at the state-level review meeting held in Lucknow was seen as another instance of his growing stature in the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Akash Anand is the son of Mayawati's younger brother, Anand Kumar, who was appointed as the national vice president of BSP in a previous major change. Akash made his political debut during Mayawati's visit to Saharanpur following the Dalit-Thakur conflict. He and his father were introduced to BSP workers during a rally in Meerut in 2017. Akash, credited with launching Mayawati's Twitter, has been visible during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 after the BSP-SP alliance. He pursued his schooling in Gurgaon and furthered his studies with a Master of Business Administration in London.

The increasing profile and political activism of Akash Anand have prompted a shift in BSP's strategy. Traditionally focusing on organizational matters, BSP, under Mayawati, has seen a change with Akash actively participating in public programs and political campaigns, indicating a shift in the party's approach under his leadership.

Translated by Geetha Sunil Pillai