First Akash, then Ishan, now Deepika: A new twist in Mayawati's succession story takes another turn

NEW DELHI: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday ruled out any political position for her brother Anand Kumar's sons, Akash Anand and Ishan Anand, calling it her “final decision”, while allowing for the possibility of her niece Kumari Deepika Anand assisting her father with party responsibilities.The announcement came days after Mayawati “freed” her nephew Akash Anand from the party, adding a fresh turn to the BSP's leadership and succession debate ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.In a lengthy post on X in Hindi, Mayawati said she remained focused on the interests of the “Bahujan Samaj family” and reiterated her opposition to political nepotism.“Like Kanshi Ram ji, I too have always kept my brothers, sisters, young family members, and close relations away from positions as MP, MLA, minister, or any other post offering political benefit, by confining them to party work,” she said.Mayawati said Anand Kumar had remained with her and had been handling important party responsibilities under her supervision.“Not only this, since I am unmarried, I am forced to keep one of my siblings -- finally my youngest brother Anand Kumar -- with me. He not only takes care of me but has also been carrying out important party responsibilities under my supervision for a long time. However, if his family members also take advantage of this, then it will not be in the interest of the party and the movement,” she said.Making her decision explicit, Mayawati said, “Therefore, today it is my final decision and pledge that in return, none of his sons, in particular, will be allowed to engage in politics by holding any position, big or small, within the BSP.”She said Anand Kumar could instead seek assistance from his daughter, who is currently studying law.“If Anand Kumar, while remaining with me, needs another member to assist him, then in the current political situation, he can seek the help of his only daughter, Kumari Deepika Anand,” Mayawati said.She added that if Deepika Anand was unwilling, her father could, with the party's consensus, hand over his responsibilities to another “missionary worker” from the party's Dalit community.“This is the need of the hour and in the party's best interest,” she said.Mayawati also invoked Kanshi Ram's opposition to nepotism, saying she remained committed to the principle as his disciple.Meanwhile, she announced a parallel push for younger leadership, saying the BSP was working to ensure around 50 per cent participation of Gen-Z in its organisation. She said the party was also prioritising “dedicated and young talents from all sections of society” as candidates for the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab Assembly elections due in 2027.The BSP chief said the aim was “so that the constitutional values can rapidly flourish in the country through the new generation”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.