Mayawati, the National President of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has initiated significant organizational changes, most notably appointing her nephew, Akash Anand, to the newly established position of National Coordinator. This newly created role positions him as the second-most influential figure within the party, second only to Mayawati herself. This strategic decision is seen as a move to bolster the BSP’s strength in preparation for the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and to reinforce the party’s presence in other states. Along with this key appointment, Mayawati has also named six National Coordinators and appointed new state presidents across various regions, with the aim of invigorating the organization with new direction and energy.
Akash Anand, formerly serving as a National Coordinator, will now oversee the activities of all party sectors, including central and state coordinators, and state presidents as the National Coordinator. He will report directly to Mayawati, which significantly strengthens his position within the organization. This specific role was created exclusively for Akash, marking a departure from previous BSP structures. This action underscores Mayawati’s intention to groom Akash for future leadership responsibilities.
To improve organizational efficiency, Mayawati has increased the number of National Coordinators from four to six. These coordinators will operate under the direction of Akash Anand and report to him. The new National Coordinators include Ramji Gautam, who will be in charge of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar. Rajaram will be supported by Mohit Anand as an assistant. Other National Coordinators are Randhir Singh Beniwal, Lalji Medhankar, Atar Singh Rao, with Suresh Arya as his assistant, and Dharamveer Singh Ashok, with Dayachand as his assistant. These coordinators will divide the country into three zones to manage and oversee the party’s activities. This new structure represents a significant step in making the BSP more active and effective on a national level.
Mayawati has also appointed new state presidents in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, to strengthen the party’s ground-level presence. Vishwanath Pal has been reappointed as the state president of Uttar Pradesh. The newly appointed state presidents in other states are: Rajesh Tanwar (Delhi), Ramakant Pippal (Madhya Pradesh), Shyam Tandon (Chhattisgarh), Shankar Mahato (Bihar), Dr. Sunil Dongre (Maharashtra), M. Krishna Murthy (Karnataka), P. Anand (Tamil Nadu), Joy R. Thomas (Kerala), Krishan Jamarapur (Haryana), Avatar Singh Karipuri (Punjab), Prem Barupal (Rajasthan), Shiv Pujan Mehta (Jharkhand), Manoj Hawaldar (West Bengal), Saroj Kumar Nayak (Odisha), Bandela Gautam (Andhra Pradesh), Ibram Shekhar (Telangana), Bhagubhai Parmar (Gujarat), Vikram Singh Nayar (Himachal Pradesh), Darshan Rana (Jammu and Kashmir), Brijpal (Chandigarh), and Amarjeet Singh (Uttarakhand). These appointments send a clear message of the BSP’s commitment to strengthening its presence in those states where its influence has been relatively weak.
Akash Anand, the son of Mayawati’s younger brother, Anand Kumar, holds an MBA degree from the University of Plymouth, London. He initiated his political career in 2016 with a rally in Saharanpur. He was appointed as a National Coordinator in 2019, and in December 2023, Mayawati declared him her successor. However, due to some controversial statements and perceived immaturity during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mayawati removed him from the roles of National Coordinator and successor. In June 2024, Mayawati reinstated Akash as National Coordinator and successor, but in March 2025, he was again removed, reportedly due to the influence and controversies surrounding his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth.
The return of Akash Anand in May 2025 and his promotion to National Coordinator have injected renewed enthusiasm among party workers. This reshuffle by Mayawati is designed to strategically position the party for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and upcoming elections in states like Bihar. The BSP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was disappointing, as the party failed to secure a single seat in Uttar Pradesh and saw its vote share decline from 19.4% to 9.3%. This outcome prompted Mayawati to make substantial organizational changes. Mayawati has decided to contest the elections independently in Bihar, reflecting the party’s independent strategy. She has instructed party workers to address the concerns of Dalits, minorities, and backward classes, and to disseminate the philosophies of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar among the public.
Akash Anand’s new role and the introduction of young leadership represent a critical step in this direction. This organizational restructuring by Mayawati is part of a strategic plan to energize the BSP and improve its performance in the 2027 elections. The promotion of Akash Anand to National Coordinator, along with the appointments of new coordinators and state presidents, will be crucial in assessing how Akash Anand fulfills his new responsibilities and whether, under Mayawati’s leadership, he can restore the party to its former strength. The BSP’s revamped structure and youthful leadership could play a pivotal role in defining the party’s future path.
