Thu Mar 06 08:04:52 UTC 2025: ## Mayawati’s BSP Faces Existential Crisis as Key Figure Expelled, Party’s Influence Crumbles
**Lucknow, India** – The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), once a dominant force in Uttar Pradesh’s politics under Mayawati’s leadership, is facing a severe existential crisis. The recent expulsion of Akash Anand, Mayawati’s nephew and perceived political heir, highlights the party’s internal struggles and dwindling influence.
Anand’s expulsion, following a previous suspension for controversial remarks, stems from accusations of arrogance and self-serving behavior, allegedly influenced by his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, who was also expelled last month for alleged attempts to fracture the party. Mayawati emphatically declared she will not name a successor.
The BSP’s decline is multifaceted. Poor electoral performance, including a complete shutout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections (2.3% vote share, down from 3.7% in 2019), and a single seat win in the 2022 Assembly elections (13% vote share, down from 22% in 2017), reflects a drastic loss of support. The party’s shrinking voter base is particularly evident among non-Jatav Dalits, a key demographic previously supporting the BSP.
The rise of Dalit youth leader Chandrasekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (ASP) further threatens the BSP’s position, symbolized by Azad’s victory in Nagina – the very district where Mayawati launched her political career. The BSP’s dwindling Muslim support base (down to 5% from over 20%), fueled by accusations of being the BJP’s “B-Team,” exacerbates the crisis.
With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections looming, the BSP faces formidable challenges from both Azad’s ASP and the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance, which aims to capitalize on the BSP’s shrinking support base. The question remains whether Mayawati can revitalize the party and prevent its complete decline. The article also notes the larger trend of regional parties facing similar existential questions after their respective long-time leaders.
First Piper 