In the latest turn of events in the BSP’s family saga, Mayawati on Wednesday appointed her younger nephew Ishan Anand, 27, as the party’s national coordinator, days after removing his elder brother Akash Anand as the chief national coordinator and expelling him from the party.
She later removed him from the post and announced that her niece Deepika Anand would be given a role in the organisation. Earlier on September 7, Mayawati had appointed Ishan Anand as chief sector coordinator, entrusting him with organisational work in 19 states where the BSP has an active state organisation.
On September 20, she announced that Ishan would be given a “respectable responsibility” in the party organisation.
Earlier reporting noted: The decision was announced at a meeting of the BSP’s national executive held at the party headquarters here and presided over by Mayawati, a four-time former Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Accompanied by Mayawati and his father Anand Kumar, the party’s national vice-president, Ishan arrived at the BSP state unit office to attend Wednesday’s meeting. Akash Anand, who has been relieved of all party responsibilities, was not seen at the meeting.
“The support of young voters, particularly Gen Z, will be crucial for the party’s victory in the 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab,” she said. Mayawati said Ishan had assured her that under her guidance, he would work with complete dedication and honesty to advance the party and its movement. Clarifying her stand on dynastic politics, Mayawati said the BSP had always remained “untainted” by it. She said party founder Kanshi Ram, following in the footsteps of BR Ambedkar, had established strict rules and principles from the beginning. He believed that he had no personal family of his own and that the entire Bahujan Samaj was his extended family, she said. Kanshi Ram’s mission was to transform the Bahujan Samaj from an exploited class into a ruling class and empower its members to stand on their own feet, break free from centuries of “slavery and helplessness” and lead lives of self-respect and gainful employment, according to Mayawati. She said he allowed cousins and close family members to work within the party organisation as long as there was no greed for personal gain, and that she remained committed to the same principle. “Whether the election turns out to be a direct contest, a three-cornered fight or a four-cornered battle, BSP supporters, especially in Uttar Pradesh, will relentlessly continue the struggle to form an ‘Iron Lady’ government for the fifth term with a full majority,” she said.
Earlier, the party’s vice-president, national general secretary, national coordinator and state unit president were given seats alongside Mayawati during such meetings. Earlier reporting noted: Ishan Anand, who has completed his LLM and legal studies, was present at the meeting along with his father and BSP national vice-president Anand Kumar. On Wednesday, however, there was no separate seating arrangement for senior leaders, who sat with other party leaders in the meeting hall. Earlier reporting noted: Mayawati appoints younger nephew Ishan as national coordinator after removing Akash from party Lucknow, The Bahujan Samaj Party on Wednesday appointed Ishan Anand, younger nephew of party president Mayawati, as its new national coordinator, days after his elder brother Akash Anand was removed from all party responsibilities.
