Party chief Mayawati issued a stark directive to senior BSP leader Ashok Siddharth, instructing him to "quit politics completely," as internal negotiations continue over the future role of her nephew Akash Anand within the party.
The demand comes amid reports that Mayawata is conditioning Akash Anand’s return to a prominent BSP post on the retirement of his father‑in‑law, a senior figure whose exit would clear the way for Anand’s elevation.
Sources close to the BSP say the move is part of a broader reshuffle aimed at consolidating Mayawati’s control ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections, where the party seeks to regain lost ground.
Political analysts note that the public nature of the directive to Siddharth signals a tightening of loyalty within the party hierarchy, while also raising questions about the influence of family ties on candidate selection.
The BSP has not issued an official comment on the specific conditions tied to Akash Anand’s prospective role, but insiders confirm that Mayawati’s “sanyas” (renunciation) demand is intended to streamline the leadership pipeline before the election campaign intensifies.
