Amidst the by-elections on 9 seats in Uttar Pradesh, BSP supremo Mayawati has put Akash Anand on duty in Maharashtra and Jharkhand assemblies. As coordinator, Akash Anand will now look after the work related to BSP’s strategy and campaign in Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. Two questions are being raised regarding this decision of Mayawati.
The first question is why Akash Anand has been put on duty in Maharashtra and Jharkhand despite failing in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. The second question is regarding UP. Assembly by-elections are to be held on 9 seats in UP, where BSP is fighting on the lines of do and die. In such a situation, why has Akash been picked up from there and sent to these two states?
BSP lost badly under the leadership of Akash
In the assembly elections of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, Akash had taken the lead on behalf of BSP, but in the assembly elections of all the three states, Bahujan Samaj Party suffered a crushing defeat.
Despite the alliance in Haryana, Bahujan Samaj Party could not win even a single seat. That too when Akash Anand had conducted vigorous rallies on more than 10 seats. Mayawati herself also held a rally in Haryana.
Now Akash is deployed in Maharashtra-Jharkhand
Mayawati has now deployed Akash Anand in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. At both the places, Bahujan Samaj Party is alone in the electoral fray. BSP has fielded candidates on 288 seats in Maharashtra. Here Sunil Dongre is in command of the party.
Similarly, in Jharkhand also, Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded candidates on all the seats. BSP’s account was not opened in the last elections in both the states.
By-elections are being held on 9 seats in UP also.
By-elections are proposed for Kundarki, Katehari, Sisamau, Majhwan, Meerapur, Phulpur, Khair, Ghaziabad and Karhal seats of Uttar Pradesh. BSP is fighting alone on all these seats. The by-elections being held on these seats from east to west are being considered as the semi-finals of power.
BSP is working on a strategy to strengthen its position by performing well in this election. In such a situation, questions are being raised about Akash Anand being assigned duty in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Why was Akash on duty in Maharashtra-Jharkhand?
1. In 2019, Bahujan Samaj Party had fielded candidates on 263 seats in Maharashtra. BSP did not get even a single seat, but the party was successful in getting 5 lakh votes. The population of Dalits in Maharashtra is about 12 percent. Mayawati hopes that Akash will be successful in increasing this vote. Similar is the condition of Jharkhand also.
If BSP’s votes increase in both these states, the party’s supporters will call it Akash’s victory and will promote him politically. Mayawati has been trying to promote her nephew on a big level for many years, but has not got the opportunity.
2. The political ground is not suitable for Mayawati’s party in the UP by-elections. 9 seats on which by-elections are being held. There is a direct fight between BJP and SP alliance. Mayawati’s party is definitely trying to make the contest triangular, but till now it has not been successful to a great extent.
If BSP loses despite Akash campaigning in UP, it may send a wrong message to the cadre. On the other hand, Chandrashekhar is continuously getting stronger compared to Akash.
3. Mayawati is also waiting for Akash to mature. Akash’s firebrand speech in the recent Lok Sabha elections created a stir in the politics of UP. FIRs were also registered against Akash at many places, after which Mayawati sidelined Akash.
After Lok Sabha, Mayawati again got Akash back in the organization. However, Mayawati definitely said that Akash is not mature yet and he will be used in the work of the organization.
