Overview
- Mayawati announced on Saturday that neither of her brother Anand Kumar’s sons, Akash and Ishan, nor their future children will be allowed to hold any position in the Bahujan Samaj Party.
- She said Anand Kumar may ask his only daughter, Kumari Deepika Anand, to assist him if needed and that Deepika could be given responsibilities based on her honesty, loyalty and ability, with a Dalit party worker as an alternative if she declines.
- The declaration follows a series of moves this week in which Akash was stripped of responsibilities and effectively expelled, and on Sunday Mayawati accused him of acting under the influence of his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth and of helping spread rumours about her health.
- Mayawati framed the ban as part of a broader push to renew the party by raising Gen‑Z participation to about 50 percent and prioritising young, merit-based candidates for the 2027 assembly contests in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
- Rival parties and commentators have reacted—some offering a welcome to expelled figures—while Mayawati rejected reports of readmitting ousted leaders, signalling a tighter discipline and a clear succession line under her control.