Akash Anand appeals to Mayawati for second chance in BSP

Akash Anand, the nephew of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, has made a public appeal to his aunt for a second chance, declaring he will never join another political party and describing the BSP as his family.

His message, posted on Friday, is a direct attempt to repair a relationship that fractured earlier this month. Mayawati expelled Anand on 10 September, accusing him of putting his family ties ahead of the party's interests after he failed to repost her online demands for his father-in-law’s political retirement.

Anand has now offered a direct apology for his silence, which he blamed on a temporary break from social media.

"If this has hurt you, then I seek forgiveness from you," Anand wrote, addressing Mayawati as his political guru, inspiration, and paternal aunt.

Why was Akash Anand expelled?

The dispute that led to Anand’s exit began on 9 September, when Mayawati posted on social media that Anand's father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, should retire from politics. She argued that Siddharth’s retirement was necessary so that Anand could work freely within the BSP without being pulled by family obligations.

Anand did not repost the statement. For Mayawati, who has previously used Anand's social media activity as a gauge of his loyalty, the silence was a critical omission. She publicly questioned his commitment, suggesting he remained more loyal to his father-in-law than to the party.

Though Siddharth announced his political retirement the very next day, on 10 September, it did not save Anand's position. Mayawati dismissed the retirement as coming too late and expelled both men from the party, stating they had shown greater attachment to personal interests than to the Bahujan movement.

How has Akash Anand responded?

In his Friday statement, Anand sought to put those doubts to rest by backing Mayawati’s decision regarding his father-in-law.

"Relationships have their place, but the mission is greater than them," Anand wrote. He added that his silence had been misunderstood, creating space for rumours about his political future.

"I only seek the opportunity to serve the party and the mission again under your leadership," Anand said, promising to prove his loyalty through hard work rather than words.

This is not the first time Anand has found himself on the outer edges of the BSP. He has been expelled and reinstated twice before, with Mayawati previously stripping him of his role as national coordinator to allow him to gain "political maturity" before returning him to key organisational duties.

Whether this latest public apology will lead to another reconciliation remains to be seen. Mayawati has not yet publicly responded to her nephew's appeal.