Xpress News24
A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing power struggle within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Former Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Siddharth, who is also the father-in-law of BSP leader Akash Anand, has announced his decision to retire from active politics, according to the information shared by him on social media.
The development comes a day after BSP chief Mayawati publicly asked Siddharth to completely withdraw from politics if he wanted to clear the way for Akash Anand to return to an active organisational role in the party. Mayawati had directly linked Akash’s political future with the retirement of his father-in-law.
Siddharth’s announcement is significant because his political association with the BSP has been at the centre of the latest dispute involving Akash Anand. Mayawati had earlier accused Siddharth of placing personal and family interests ahead of the party’s larger political mission. She also said that the consequences of the situation had affected both Siddharth and his son-in-law Akash.
In his social media post announcing his retirement, Siddharth also wrote at length about Mayawati and his association with the BSP. His post comes at a time when the party is undergoing another organisational shake-up ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The sequence of events has once again brought Akash Anand’s political future into focus. Mayawati removed Akash from the post of BSP chief national coordinator on September 3, saying he needed greater political maturity before being entrusted with a major responsibility. He was subsequently left to work as an ordinary party worker.
Mayawati later indicated that Akash could potentially regain responsibilities if Siddharth completely stepped away from politics. She said the party could sympathetically consider restoring Akash’s responsibilities after Siddharth gave up his political ambitions and allowed him to work independently.
The issue is particularly important for the BSP as the party prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab. Mayawati has been emphasising organisational discipline and has indicated that personal or family interests should not come in the way of the party’s political campaign.
Ashok Siddharth, a former BSP Rajya Sabha MP, was expelled from the party earlier this month over alleged anti-party activities, according to reports. His daughter Pragya is married to Akash Anand, making the dispute particularly significant for the BSP’s internal leadership dynamics.
The latest development could now potentially remove one of the key conditions Mayawati had set for Akash Anand’s return to a significant role. However, there is no confirmation yet that Akash will immediately be restored to his previous post or given a fresh organisational responsibility.
For now, all eyes are on Mayawati’s next move and whether the BSP leadership formally responds to Siddharth’s retirement announcement. The development could have wider implications for the party’s succession planning and its strategy for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls.
