Out, in and elevated: Maya nephew's roller-coaster ride in BSP continues

Mayawati may be preparing for a long-term leadership transition in party, Akash likely to be made the BSP chief's political heir again

- Rajesh Kumar Singh

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has again reposed faith in her nephew Akash Anand by appointing him as the party's chief national coordinator, just weeks after taking him back into the party fold in April following his ouster from the organisation in March.

Mayawati announced Akash's appointment to the top organisational post at the BSP's all-India meeting held at the party central's office in Delhi on Sunday.

Akash Anand's appointment as the chief national coordinator indicates Mayawati may be preparing for a long-term leadership transition in the party, those in the know of things said, adding that Akash is likely to be made the BSP chief's political heir again after having lost the privileged position months ago.

The BSP president has tasked Akash with a key responsibility in expansion of the organisation across the country.

"Akash will work diligently and with caution to strengthen both the party and its movement," Mayawati said at the meeting. On March 3, Mayawati had removed Akash Anand from the key party post of national coordinator, the second time this assignment was taken away from him. Now, the designation of chief national coordinator represents an elevation from him.

He was expelled from the party on March 4. To run party affairs, Mayawati had elevated three senior leaders -- Ramji Gautam, Randhir Singh Beniwal and Raja Ram -- to the post of national coordinator back then.