Lucknow. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which once had a strong support base and was the main contender for power in the politics of Uttar Pradesh, is now struggling with the challenge of saving its political existence and traditional vote bank. Party’s national president Mayawati is constantly trying to strengthen the organization and regain the lost support base. Under this strategy, he has decided to once again promote his nephew Akash Anand. Preparations are being made to strengthen the party’s support base in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand by giving Akash Anand the responsibility of national convenor. Political analysts are seeing this move as an attempt to connect young voters, especially Gen-Ji, with the BSP.
BSP’s position weakened due to continuous election defeats
The biggest challenge before the Bahujan Samaj Party is the continuously decreasing electoral support base. BSP, which once formed the government with full majority in Uttar Pradesh, has lost its representation in the Assembly and Lok Sabha.
In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, BSP got only one seat out of 403 seats. The party’s vote percentage was around 12.88 percent. After this, BSP could not win a single seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
After the death of Umashankar Singh, the party’s only MLA, BSP’s representation there also became zero. These circumstances have increased the challenge before Mayawati to re-establish the organization.
Mayawati again expressed confidence in Akash Anand
BSP supremo Mayawati has decided to field her nephew Akash Anand once again in the election field. He has been entrusted with huge responsibility as the national convenor of the party.
In recent times, many ups and downs have been seen in the political journey of Akash Anand. Mayawati removed him from organizational responsibilities, expelled him from the party and later gave him an opportunity to return again.
There have been many discussions in political circles regarding this development. However, now the decision to increase Akash Anand’s activism indicates that the party leadership wants to infuse new energy into the organization through a young face.
Mayawati has also praised Akash Anand’s political maturity and commitment to the party.
Schedule of public meetings decided from UP to Punjab
Many public meetings have been scheduled in Uttar Pradesh for Akash Anand. As per the announced programme, he will address public meetings in Bulandshahr on October 28, Saharanpur on November 2, Ayodhya on November 20, Agra on November 22 and Kanpur Nagar on November 29.
Apart from this, his participation is also proposed in the programs organized in Punjab on Constitution Day and Haridwar on the occasion of the death anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on 6th December.
Through these events, BSP will try to activate its workers and increase the political presence of the organization in various areas.
Emphasis on strategy to connect Gen-G
According to political analysts, the most important motive behind promoting Akash Anand may be to reach out to the new generation voters.
Gen-G i.e. the young generation has emerged as an important voter category for political parties. In such a situation, the challenge before BSP is to connect new voters along with its old supporters.
Akash Anand has emerged as the face of youth leadership in the party. Through them, BSP can try to give prominence to issues related to education, employment, social justice, reservation and future of youth.
However, whether the support of young voters will come only through a change in leadership or whether it will require broader organizational change will become clear in the coming elections.
Challenge to save traditional Dalit vote bank
BSP’s politics has long been focused on the issues of Dalit society, social justice and Bahujan movement. Under the leadership of party founders Kanshi Ram and Mayawati, BSP had created its own identity in the politics of Uttar Pradesh.
But amid the changing political equations, the traditional supporters of the party now have other political options.
Especially retaining the young Dalit voters is being considered an important challenge for the party.
Political experts believe that if BSP strengthens the youth leadership and activates the grassroots organization, it can help in increasing its support base.
Questions raised by continuous changes in party organization
In the last few months, there have been continuous changes regarding organizational decisions within the BSP.
Decisions like giving responsibility, removing and reactivating Akash Anand have raised many questions about the party’s strategy.
At the same time, Mayawati has clarified that Ashok Siddharth, who was expelled from the party, will not return. His stance is also being seen as a message to maintain organizational discipline.
Now the challenge before the BSP leadership is to maintain the confidence of the workers amid these changes and maintain continuity in the election preparations.
BSP also eyeing Punjab and Uttarakhand
Apart from Uttar Pradesh, BSP is also preparing to strengthen its political base in Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Mayawati has already announced that the party will contest the 2027 assembly elections on its own in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.
For this, he has instructed party officials to strengthen the organization up to the booth level.
Akash Anand’s proposed public meetings are being considered a part of this broader election preparation. Party’s efforts in different states
