Lucknow, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Expelled Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and former Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth has announced his retirement from political and social life, a day after BSP chief Mayawati advised him to step away from politics to create an opportunity for her nephew Akash Anand to return to an active organisational role in the party.
Siddharth, who was expelled from the BSP for the second time on August 2 over alleged anti-party activities, announced his decision in a detailed social media post while reaffirming his loyalty to Mayawati and rejecting allegations that he had worked against the interests of the party.
Taking to X, Siddharth described Mayawati as his “political mentor and elder sister” and said her instructions were more important to him than his personal relationships or family interests.
He said he had remained dedicated to the BSP for 35 years and credited Mayawati with giving him opportunities to serve as a member of the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha.
Swearing by Gautam Buddha and BSP founder Kanshi Ram, Siddharth said he had never acted against the party’s interests and could not imagine going against Mayawati or her directions.
Siddharth had faced allegations of attempting to “take control” of the BSP and misleading Akash Anand. Rejecting the claims, he said he had met Akash only a few times in recent months, mainly when the latter’s programmes were organised in election-bound states as part of responsibilities entrusted to him by Mayawati.
He alleged that some party colleagues had targeted him out of jealousy over the respect he received within the organisation and described the allegations as part of a conspiracy by political adversaries.
Siddharth also said his retirement should not be viewed solely in the context of any possible return of Akash Anand to the BSP. He stressed that Akash was Mayawati’s nephew and had spent two decades under her guidance.
“If you feel that my continued presence in political and social life is harming the ‘Bahujan Mission’ established by our saints, gurus and great leaders, then I am retiring from political and social life this very moment,” Siddharth said.
Mayawati, in a post on X on Wednesday, had advised Siddharth to retire, alleging that his personal interests had prevented him from properly protecting the interests of Akash Anand and the BSP movement.
She said Siddharth had an opportunity to rise above personal interests and withdraw completely from politics in the larger interest of the BSP and his family.
According to Mayawati, Siddharth’s retirement would allow Akash Anand to work freely within the BSP and could pave the way for the party to sympathetically consider restoring organisational responsibilities to him.
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