Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has removed her nephew Akash Anand from all party responsibilities, marking another major setback for the young leader’s political career. The latest decision comes after he was earlier removed from the post of national coordinator.

With Akash Anand now out of the BSP’s organisational setup, political reactions have started coming in ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has publicly indicated that his party would be open to accepting Anand if he decides to join.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav was asked whether the Samajwadi Party would take Akash Anand into its fold. Yadav responded, “You bring him, we’ll take him.” He said he was making the statement publicly.

Yadav, however, initially underlined that Anand’s removal was an internal decision of the BSP. “It is their party’s own decision,” he said, adding that leaders of other parties could not comment on such an internal matter.

When the journalist followed up by asking whether the SP would welcome Anand if he wanted to join, Yadav repeated his offer, saying that if the journalist brought him, the party would take him.

The remarks assume significance because Akash Anand has emerged as one of the prominent young faces associated with the BSP in recent years. His political position within the party, however, has changed several times, with his responsibilities being reduced and restored at different points.

The SP’s outreach towards Anand is not entirely new. Party spokesperson Dr Ashutosh Verma had earlier spoken in favour of welcoming him, describing him as a young leader and an effective speaker who had raised issues concerning the Bahujan community.

Verma had argued that the BSP’s internal developments were taking place just months before the election and said the Samajwadi Party would welcome anyone who raised issues concerning Dalits and backward communities.

The political messaging has now widened beyond the SP.

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also extended an invitation to Akash Anand. Nishad said Anand should come forward and that leaders committed to the ideals associated with Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram could work together.

Nishad said the larger objective should be to bring communities that have historically remained disadvantaged into the mainstream and ensure their political representation.

The developments come at a crucial point in Uttar Pradesh politics, with parties preparing for the 2027 Assembly election. The BSP’s decision regarding Akash Anand could therefore have wider political implications, particularly in the contest for Dalit and other marginalised voters.

For now, Akash Anand’s next political move remains unclear. While the SP and Nishad Party have publicly signalled their willingness to consider him, there has been no confirmation that Anand has decided to join either party.

The BSP has not indicated any immediate political role for him following the latest action. His next move is likely to attract close attention as parties begin intensifying their preparations for the Uttar Pradesh polls.