Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, Sep 13: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has alleged that people expelled from the party deliberately spread rumours about her health, claiming that she was seriously ill.
Addressing the issue, Mayawati said her nephew and recently expelled BSP leader Akash Anand himself called her on Saturday night to enquire about her health.
“Party se nikale gaye logon ne bhram failaya ki main bahut beemar hoon,” Mayawati said, alleging that expelled party members had created the misconception that she was seriously unwell.
She said Akash Anand called her residence at 10:04 pm on Saturday and asked whether her health had deteriorated.
Mayawati also criticised her nephew, saying, “Akash Anand abhi bhi apne dimaag se kaam nahi kar raha, Ashok Siddharth ke dimaag se kaam kar raha hai,” alleging that he continued to act under the influence of Ashok Siddharth rather than independently.
Mayawati has already expelled Akash Anand and Ishaan Anand from the BSP. Despite Akash's expulsion, sections of the party's social media supporters have continued to express support for him.
Her latest remarks have triggered fresh discussion on social media, with several users on X urging Mayawati to bring Akash Anand back into the BSP.
Some supporters have claimed that the Bahujan community would not accept anyone other than Akash Anand as a future leader, while others have described him as an emerging leader. Messages including “Apna Akash, umeedon ka Akash” and claims that “Akash Anand is not just a name, but a brand” have also surfaced online.
Some users also highlighted Akash's phone call to Mayawati, saying that despite the political differences, his concern about her health showed that he continued to care for her.
Akash Anand's political future has also generated interest outside the BSP. According to the inputs, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Azad Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad have previously spoken about taking Akash Anand along.
The developments have added another layer to the political uncertainty surrounding the BSP and its leadership ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
According to sources cited in the inputs, one of the reasons behind Akash Anand's expulsion was his growing popularity among sections of the Dalit community. The sources claimed that there were concerns within the party that Anand could become more popular than other leaders among the BSP's support base.
Akash Anand had earlier been named Mayawati's political successor, significantly increasing his stature within the party. He was also active on social media and frequently addressed meetings of BSP workers as the party's national coordinator.
According to the inputs, Akash received considerable support during such meetings. At a meeting in Aurangabad, some workers reportedly raised complaints about a party leader before Anand, who is said to have assured them that action would be taken.
The matter subsequently reached Mayawati. Sources claimed that she became concerned that Akash was gaining excessive influence and attempting to take decisions within the party.
The sources further alleged that Mayawati was unhappy with Akash Anand for reportedly giving assurances regarding party tickets for the 2027 elections in coordination with his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth.
Mayawati had earlier removed the post of chief sector in-charge and increased responsibilities assigned to Anand Kumar. She has also publicly criticised Akash Anand for allegedly failing to act independently and for being influenced by Ashok Siddharth.
BSP supporters, however, point out that this is not the first time Akash Anand has been removed from the party or denied the position of successor. According to them, he was expelled earlier, subsequently returned to the BSP and was later again designated as Mayawati's political successor.
The latest episode has once again brought Akash Anand's political future into focus, even as Mayawati maintains that she is healthy and continues to lead the BSP.