New Delhi: Political parties have begun gearing up for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest state. The upcoming 2027 assembly elections will serve as a crucial test not only for the ruling ‘double-engine’ BJP government and the opposition Samajwadi Party but also for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
A major reshuffle has commenced within the BSP ahead of the elections. BSP chief Mayawati has once again surprised everyone with a significant decision. In a major move, she has expelled Ashok Siddharth, the father-in-law of her relative Akash Anand, from the party. Additionally, Randhir Singh Beniwal, who was serving as a party coordinator, has also been expelled.
Mayawati had already withdrawn state charges.
BSP supremo Mayawati had previously relieved both leaders of their responsibilities. Ashok Siddharth had been stripped of charge for the states of Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha, and West Bengal, while Randhir Singh Beniwal held responsibility for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Following their removal from these roles, their expulsion from the party was announced via an official social media post.
Information shared via social media
The news of the leaders’ expulsion was shared on the social media platform X. This move by Mayawati is being viewed as a major, unexpected decision ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. A post on X clarified that the authority to select candidates for the upcoming general assembly elections rests entirely with her.
She has personally finalised over two dozen candidates through meetings at the party’s Lucknow office and will continue to decide ticket allocations for all seats. Akash Anand’s role is limited to holding public meetings to announce the candidates selected by the party; this has nothing to do with diminishing or elevating his stature.
Mayawati urged party members and workers to be wary of the baseless talk and rumours circulating on social media regarding Akash Anand, stating that there is not an iota of truth to them. Party members must always remain vigilant against such mischievous and casteist elements.
UP Elections: A Challenge for the BSP
It is worth noting that the 2027 Assembly elections will prove to be crucial for BSP chief Mayawati. Looking at the last two elections, Mayawati has not delivered a significant performance; in the 2022 Assembly elections, the BSP managed to win only a single seat.
Having held power in Uttar Pradesh four times, Mayawati is now striving to regain her lost political ground. She is regarded as the foremost leader of the Dalit community; however, recent elections have shown a significant shift of Dalit votes away from her.
