On Tuesday, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will hold a meeting in Lucknow, UP, where Mayawati will be re-elected as the party’s national president. Senior party officials from UP and across the country will attend this meeting. They will also discuss the upcoming assembly elections in four states and the UP by-elections.
Mayawati has been the BSP’s national president since 2003 and will continue in this role. This raises the question: If she has already named her nephew, Akash Anand, as her successor, why does she still want to be the party president?
Reasons Why Mayawati Wants to Remain President:
- Not Ready to Retire: Mayawati announced on Monday that she is not planning to retire from politics and will remain active. Political analysts believe that despite naming Akash Anand as her successor, Mayawati is still the strongest leader for the BSP.
- Leader of Dalits: Even though the BSP is facing tough times, Mayawati remains a prominent leader among Dalits. She has their trust and is respected by leaders of other parties. When it comes to forming alliances, major parties often approach her.
- Challenge from Chandrashekhar Azad: Chandrashekhar Azad of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) has emerged as a significant challenge for the BSP. He is positioning himself as an alternative to the BSP in several states. However, he has never criticized Mayawati directly and often praises her as a leading Dalit leader. In contrast, he has been critical of Akash Anand, calling him a leader who had everything handed to him.
- Akash Anand’s Readiness: While Akash Anand is popular among the BSP’s youth and made headlines for his aggressive speeches during the Lok Sabha elections, he has also faced controversies. For instance, his comments on the BJP led to a backlash, and Mayawati had to remove him from responsibilities temporarily. Although he was reinstated, Mayawati has indicated that he is not yet fully prepared for leadership.
Overall, Mayawati’s decision to stay as BSP president is influenced by her ongoing influence, the challenge from rival leaders, and concerns about her nephew’s readiness for leadership.
