Akash Anand back in BSP fold after apology to Mayawati, gets key post again

LUCKNOW: BSP national president Mayawati on Monday took her nephew Akash Anand back into the party and reappointed him as its national coordinator, three days after he apologised to her and expressed his willingness to serve the party under her leadership.In a post on X, Mayawati said that after “much deliberation”, the BSP had decided to give Anand another opportunity to work in the party as its national coordinator in the interest of the party and the movement.Mayawati said Anand’s “personality has largely been appropriate” within the party, but there had been reasons in recent days that required changes in the organisation.She said she hoped that after the retirement of Anand’s father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, from politics, the party would function smoothly and there would be no need for repeated organisational changes.Anand was removed from the BSP on September 10, shortly after Siddharth announced his retirement from politics.Mayawati had said Anand’s failure to repost her appeal asking Siddharth to retire showed his attachment to family ties over the party and its movement. She had also said Anand needed greater political maturity.Three days ago, Anand apologised to Mayawati, saying his silence on her September 9 post had been misunderstood.He said he had distanced himself from social media at the time and sought forgiveness if his silence had hurt her.Anand also said the BSP was his family and that he wanted an opportunity to serve the party and its mission again under Mayawati’s leadership.Mayawati said on Monday that Anand’s request to return to the party had been accepted and that members of the family, including his father and younger brother Ishaan Anand, had also expressed their consent.The BSP chief also said that maintaining discipline in the party had been a priority and that members of her own family had not been exempt from strict decisions taken in the past.Anand’s return marks another reversal in his political relationship with Mayawati.He had earlier been expelled from the BSP in May 2024 and March 2025, and was taken back within a month on both occasions.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.