Opportunists trying to weaken BSP, Bahujan unity: Mayawati after Azad jibe

On March 3, Mayawati had expelled Anand from the BSP and relieved him of all responsibilities, saying he “lacked political maturity.” Before that, his father-in-law Ashok Sidharth, who once shared a close bond with Mayawati and was considered a power centre in the party even before his daughter’s marriage to Anand, was expelled. Mayawati had then claimed that Anand was being “tutored” by Sidharth.

However, last month, Mayawati announced that she was inducting Anand back into the party, pointing out that he has apologised for his “wrongdoings”.

Mayawati wrote on X on Monday, “…ups and downs of Akash Anand and his appointment as chief national coordinator have left many people anxious, and this is very obvious. This is happening as the BSP is the only Ambedkarite party that works for ‘Bahujan’ welfare. Therefore, there is a tradition of initiating action against people in the party’s interest and taking them back after they repent.”

Azad is considered a strong political opponent of the BSP after he wrested the Nagina LS seat in the 2024 election from the BSP, which had won it in 2019. He is seen as an aggressive Dalit leader and is considered popular among youngsters in the community. Anand, who is much younger than Azad and found himself in the limelight during the 2024 poll campaign due to his firebrand speeches, was seen by some as an apt counter to Azad’s clout.

On Sunday at a meet of intellectuals, Azad Samaj Party chief took a jibe at the BSP over its decision to bring back Akash despite his expulsion from that party.

While he praised Mayawati, he said he and his party would fulfill the BSP chief’s “incomplete tasks and dreams” “as those dreams and tasks were of Kanshi Ram and Dr B R Ambedkar”.

On Monday, Mayawati, in an apparent reference to Nagina MP’s claims, said: “Leaders who, for personal gain, may become MLAs, MPs or ministers by aligning with such parties will not bring any real benefit to the community.”