Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati’s nephew Akash Anand has returned to the party and been reappointed as its national convener.
Announcing the decision on social media, Mayawati said that while Anand’s personality had largely been appropriate within the party, there had been certain issues surrounding him in recent years that had forced the BSP to make organisational changes several times, and ultimately, his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth, “was also compelled to retire from politics”.
Mayawati said that since Siddharth’s retirement, people had noticed “considerable changes” in Anand’s personality and working style. She cited a recent post by Anand on X expressing his desire to return to the BSP as proof of the change, saying the post had generated considerable discussion.
She said most party leaders and workers were of the view that Anand’s request should be accepted and that he should be given another opportunity to work in the party with the responsibilities he previously held. His father as well as his younger brother, Ishan Anand, had also agreed with the proposal, she said.
Mayawati said Ishan had even expressed his willingness to work for the party without holding any post, saying he would carry out any responsibility assigned to him under Mayawati’s direction with “complete honesty and dedication”.
“After careful consideration, the party has decided, in the interest of the BSP and the movement, to reappoint Akash Anand as the national convener and give him another opportunity to work in the party,” the former UP chief minister said.
She expressed hope that following Ashok Siddharth’s retirement from politics, “everything will now function smoothly” within the party and there would be no need for repeated organisational changes.
“However, much will depend on Akash Anand himself,” Mayawati added.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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