Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has undertaken significant changes within the party structure, notably appointing her nephew, Akash Anand, to the newly established role of National Coordinator. This new position designates him as the second-highest ranking individual within the party hierarchy, second only to Mayawati. This strategic move is perceived as a crucial step towards reinforcing the BSP for the forthcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, while simultaneously bolstering the party’s presence in other states. Along with this prominent appointment, Mayawati has also named six National Coordinators and introduced new state presidents across several regions, aiming to inject fresh dynamism and direction into the organization.
Akash Anand, previously serving as a National Coordinator, will now be tasked with overseeing the operations of all party divisions, including central and state coordinators, and state presidents in his capacity as the National Coordinator. He will report directly to Mayawati, thereby solidifying his authority within the organization. This unique role has been specifically created for Akash, representing a novel development within the BSP structure. This signals Mayawati’s strategy to cultivate Akash for future leadership roles.
To enhance organizational effectiveness, Mayawati has expanded the number of National Coordinators from four to six. These coordinators will operate under the guidance of Akash Anand and report to him. The newly appointed National Coordinators include Ramji Gautam, who will oversee Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar. Rajaram will be supported by Mohit Anand as his assistant. Other National Coordinators include 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 revised organizational framework constitutes a significant stride towards enabling the BSP to become more active and impactful on a national scale.
Mayawati has also appointed new state presidents across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, to reinforce the party’s grassroots presence. Vishwanath Pal has been reappointed as the state president of Uttar Pradesh. The new state presidents in other states include: 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 signify the BSP’s commitment to fortifying its presence in states where its influence has been comparatively weaker.
Akash Anand, the son of Mayawati’s younger brother, Anand Kumar, holds an MBA degree from the University of Plymouth, London. He began his political career in 2016 with a rally in Saharanpur. He was made a National Coordinator in 2019, and in December 2023, Mayawati announced him as her successor. However, due to some controversial statements and a perceived lack of maturity 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, allegedly 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 reinvigorated enthusiasm among party members. This reshuffling by Mayawati is strategically designed to position the party for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the upcoming elections in states like Bihar. The BSP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was disappointing, with the party failing to secure a single seat in Uttar Pradesh and witnessing a decline in its vote share from 19.4% to 9.3%. This outcome prompted Mayawati to implement major organizational changes. Mayawati has chosen to contest the elections independently in Bihar, reflecting the party’s autonomous strategic approach. 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 are essential steps in this direction. This organizational restructuring by Mayawati is a strategic component of a larger plan to energize the BSP and enhance its performance in the 2027 elections. The promotion of Akash Anand to National Coordinator, combined with the appointments of new coordinators and state presidents, will be critical in assessing Akash Anand’s ability to fulfill his new responsibilities and whether, under Mayawati’s leadership, he can restore the party to its former prominence. The BSP’s revamped structure and the infusion of young leadership could potentially play a crucial role in determining the party’s trajectory in the future.