Inside BSP succession battle: Akash sidelined again as brother Ishan rises

Mayawati has expelled and taken back Akash and Siddharth multiple times, and this time, she has brought in Akash's younger brother Ishan as a possible replacement. (Express file photo) 6 min readLucknowSep 11, 2026 10:42 AM IST First published on: Sep 10, 2026 at 07:19 PM IST Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati’s decision to “completely free” her nephew Akash Anand of any party responsibilities and act against senior functionaries — including Anand’s father-in-law Ashok Siddharth — “in the interests of the party” is being seen in the party as a step to maintain her authority and the only power centre. According to BSP leaders, this has now moved beyond the question of one leader being removed from a post and brought to the fore the uncertainty that surrounds the party as it heads to next year’s Assembly elections without any MLA or MP in the state. The question that is in the mind of all its workers is who from the next generation will carry forward Mayawati’s political legacy. And as Akash finds himself on the outs with his aunt once more, it appears that his younger brother Ishan is being groomed as the party’s next-generation face.