Lucknow: Akash Anand’s potential to carry forward Mayawati’s legacy and revive the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a complex question that hinges on his political acumen, the party’s organizational dynamics, and the broader socio-political landscape of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and India. A debate rages on whether Anand can rejuvenate the BSP and uphold Mayawati’s vision of Dalit empowerment and social justice.
Background: Mayawati’s Legacy and BSP’s Decline
Mayawati, often referred to as “Behenji,” transformed the BSP into a formidable force in UP politics, leveraging the vision of its founder, Kanshi Ram, to champion Dalit rights and social equity. Under her leadership, the BSP won 206 seats in the 2007 UP Assembly elections, forming a majority government—a historic achievement for a Dalit-led party. However, the party’s electoral fortunes have waned since 2012, with its vote share dropping from 19.3% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to 9.3% in 2024, and it failed to win any seats in the 2024 general elections.
The BSP’s decline is attributed to multiple factors: Mayawati’s autocratic leadership, failure to nurture second-rung leaders, accusations of dynastic politics, and competition from emerging Dalit leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram). Additionally, the party has struggled to retain its core Jatav Dalit and Muslim voter base, which has partially shifted to the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress.
Akash Anand’s Role
Akash Anand, Mayawati’s nephew and son of her brother Anand Kumar, is a 30-year-old MBA graduate from a London institute. Introduced to BSP workers in 2017, he became the party’s national coordinator in 2019 and was named Mayawati’s political successor in December 2023. His education and tech-savvy approach contrast with Mayawati’s traditional style, positioning him as a modern face for the BSP’s younger cadre.
Anand has been credited with expanding the BSP’s digital presence, encouraging Mayawati to join Twitter (now X), and initiating campaigns like the 14-day “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay” Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan in 2023. He has also led organizational efforts in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi, aiming to broaden the party’s footprint. In an interview, Anand described himself as a “custodian” of the BSP, focused on nurturing its future rather than contesting elections immediately: “I’m here not to fight elections but to nurture [the party] for the future.”
Strengths: Can Anand Revive the BSP?
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Youth Appeal and Modernization
Anand’s tech-savvy approach resonates with younger voters. His efforts to enhance the BSP’s social media presence and livestream Mayawati’s speeches signal a shift from the party’s outdated communication methods. A BSP functionary noted, “Work is being done on a website for the BSP… We are planning to scale up [Mayawati’s] social media outreach to increase the party’s influence among the youth.” His ability to speak extempore in English and Hindi makes him relatable to urban Dalit youth aspiring for upward mobility. -
Organizational Energy
Anand has shown initiative in mobilizing the cadre through padyatras and protests, a departure from the BSP’s traditionally rally-centric strategy. His leadership in Rajasthan, where he oversaw a 13-km yatra in Alwar in 2022, and in Madhya Pradesh, where he led a march to gherao the Raj Bhavan in 2023, indicates a proactive stance. A BSP leader remarked, “In his leadership, BSP has started hitting the streets too,” suggesting Anand’s potential to reinvigorate grassroots efforts. -
Countering Rivals
The rise of Chandrashekhar Azad, who won the Nagina Lok Sabha seat in 2024, poses a challenge to the BSP’s Dalit base. Anand’s reinstatement as national coordinator in June 2024 was partly seen as a response to Azad’s growing popularity. A BSP leader noted, “Aazad will raise the issues of Dalits and Muslims… To control this damage, Anand’s return was important.” Anand’s aggressive rhetoric against the BJP, as seen in his 2024 Sitapur speech where he called their government “aatankwadiyo ki sarkar” (government of terrorists), contrasts with Mayawati’s perceived softness, potentially appealing to disillusioned voters. -
Family Loyalty
As Mayawati’s nephew, Anand benefits from her trust and the party’s familial structure. Despite his ousters, Mayawati reinstated him, indicating confidence in his potential. In June 2024, she urged party leaders to “give him more respect than earlier,” signaling her intent to groom him. Anand’s loyalty is evident in his response to his 2024 sacking: “Respected@mayawati ji, you are an ideal for the entire Bahujan Samaj… Your orders are our obedience.”
Challenges: Obstacles to Anand’s Success
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Mayawati’s Shadow and Autocratic Control
Mayawati’s refusal to cede control limits Anand’s autonomy. In March 2025, she declared, “Nobody will be my successor till I am alive,” stripping Anand of his roles as national coordinator and heir. Her statement reflects a deep-seated reluctance to delegate, which stifles Anand’s ability to lead independently. Political analyst Vaidehi Taman observed, “The autocratic nature of Mayawati’s leadership style and the refusal to declare a worthy successor are perceived as the two prime determinants” of the BSP’s decline. -
Electoral Failures
Anand has struggled to translate his efforts into electoral success. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP won zero seats, and its vote share in UP plummeted. In Haryana (2023), Delhi (2025), and Rajasthan (2023), where Anand led campaigns, the party’s vote share remained below 2%, with no seats won. A BSP leader admitted, “We have to get back that vote share and play a decisive role in the results of Delhi,” highlighting the uphill battle Anand faces. -
Internal Family Conflicts
Anand’s ousters in May 2024 and March 2025 were linked to tensions involving his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, a former BSP MP expelled for “anti-party activities.” Mayawati claimed Siddharth influenced Anand through his daughter, Pragya, stating, “Siddharth is completely responsible for this and has damaged the party while ruining Akash’s career.” Such public family disputes undermine Anand’s credibility and expose the BSP’s internal dysfunction. The Wire noted, “The only person responsible for the family drama within the BSP… is Mayawati herself.” -
Perception of Nepotism
Anand’s rapid rise has fueled accusations of dynastic politics, alienating some party veterans. After elevating Anand and her brother Anand Kumar, Mayawati faced criticism from within and outside the BSP. A party insider said, “A section of the party’s old guard was not comfortable with Akash’s increasing role.” Former BSP leaders like Babu Lal Kushwaha and Nasimuddin Siddiqui, who left the party, have criticized Mayawati’s favoritism, weakening cadre morale. -
Competition and Voter Shift
The BSP faces stiff competition from the SP, Congress, and Azad’s party, which have eroded its Dalit and Muslim base. In 2024, feedback from BSP candidates suggested that Jatav Dalits and Muslims might have supported the SP-Congress alliance had Anand continued campaigning. Chandrashekhar Azad’s appeal to Dalit youth, bolstered by his 2024 Nagina victory, challenges Anand’s claim as Mayawati’s heir. A BSP leader noted, “The emergence of a popular Dalit leader such as Aazad… may have fast-tracked Anand’s reinstatement.”
Recent Developments and Sentiment
Anand’s expulsion in March 2025 marked a low point, but posts on X from April 13, 2025, suggest a possible reconciliation. One post claimed Anand made an “emotional plea” for forgiveness, vowing to ignore his in-laws’ advice and calling Mayawati his “only guru.” Another indicated Mayawati reinstated him but ruled out naming him successor. These developments are inconclusive without official confirmation, but they reflect ongoing tensions and Anand’s persistence to remain relevant.
Can Anand Carry the Legacy?
Anand possesses qualities that could revitalize the BSP—youth, education, and a modern outlook—but his success is constrained by Mayawati’s dominance and the party’s structural issues. His ability to connect with Dalit youth and adopt new strategies is promising, yet electoral failures and internal conflicts raise doubts about his leadership capacity. Mayawati’s legacy, rooted in Kanshi Ram’s vision of Bahujan unity, demands a leader who can unify diverse communities and counter rivals like Azad. Anand’s aggressive rhetoric and organizational efforts suggest potential, but his reliance on Mayawati’s approval limits his agency.
The BSP’s revival hinges on broadening its appeal beyond Dalits to include Muslims and OBCs, as it did in 2007. Anand’s campaigns in states like Rajasthan and Delhi show intent, but results are lacking. As a BSP leader noted, “We are seeing a four-cornered contest this time and the BSP is in good position,” but optimism alone cannot reverse the party’s slide. Anand must navigate Mayawati’s insecurities, as speculated by The Wire: “Is it a reflection of her insecurity? Or could it be that Mayawati… sensed a coup building against her?”
Akash Anand has the tools to carry forward Mayawati’s legacy, but his path is fraught with challenges. His youth and digital strategies could rekindle the BSP’s appeal, yet Mayawati’s control, internal rifts, and electoral setbacks temper expectations. To revive the BSP, Anand must prove his electoral mettle, unify the cadre, and counter rivals like Chandrashekhar Azad. As he stated, “I will continue to fight for Bhim Mission and my society till my last breath,” but translating this resolve into tangible results remains the critical test. For now, Anand’s role is best described as a work in progress, with the BSP’s future hanging in the balance.
