Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday indicated that her nephew Akash Anand will continue working in the party but will not be assigned any major responsibility for now, citing the need for greater political maturity. Speaking at a national-level meeting of BSP office-bearers, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister maintained that Anand still had time before taking on a larger organisational role.

Mayawati noted that she had permitted Anand, the BSP's national coordinator, to remain active in party affairs. However, she maintained that he needed to gain more political maturity before being entrusted with significant responsibilities. She also referred to the principles of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, who, according to her, allowed family members to assist with party work but opposed giving them electoral tickets or positions after the party came to power.

The BSP chief also announced a decision to contest all elections across the country independently, regardless of their size. She described the Congress as strongly anti-Dalit and anti-Ambedkar and maintained that the BSP could not rely on other political parties to protect the interests of the Bahujan Samaj. The decision signals the party's intention to pursue an independent electoral strategy across states.

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Mayawati also criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), referring to recent remarks by its chief Mohan Bhagwat during his visit to the United States. Bhagwat had emphasised Hindu philosophy's acceptance of different faiths and argued that a person who believes Muslims should not be part of Bharat would not remain Hindu. Mayawati, however, maintained that there was a gap between the RSS's statements and its actions on issues including reservation, women's dignity and the rights and religious freedom of Muslims and other minorities.

She argued that the RSS needed to demonstrate its commitment to the Constitution drafted under the leadership of Dr BR Ambedkar by following its principles in practice. Mayawati also maintained that the organisation had not earned the level of public credibility and respect it seeks despite its long history. Her remarks placed the BSP's political position within its broader emphasis on constitutional rights and the interests of disadvantaged communities.

At the meeting, Mayawati reviewed the BSP's organisational work, discussed shortcomings and issued directions to office-bearers for the party's annual activities. She reiterated that protecting the interests of the Bahujan Samaj and bringing exploited and deprived sections to political power remained the BSP's central objective. She maintained that securing political power was essential for achieving those goals while reaffirming that Akash Anand would continue his party work without receiving a major organisational responsibility for now.

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