Bank of the Philippines Governor Mayawati Akash Anand
Akash Anand has been named by BJP supremo Mayawati on duty in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly during the by-elections to nine seats in Uttar Pradesh. As coordinator, Akash Anand will now be responsible for work related to the BSP’s strategy and campaigning in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. Two questions have been raised about Mayawati’s decision.
The first question is why Akash Anand was posted to Maharashtra and Jharkhand after failing in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. The second question is about UP. Assembly by-elections will be held in nine seats in UP and the BSP is fighting a do-or-die fight for the party. In this case, why was Akash picked up from there and sent to these two states?
BSP fails miserably under Akash
In the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, Akash took the lead on behalf of the BJP, but in the assembly elections in these three states, the Samajwadi Party was defeated miserably.
Despite forming an alliance in Haryana, the Samajwadi Party failed to win even a single seat. The same was true when Akash Anand staged a fiery rally in more than 10 seats. Mayawati herself also held rallies in Haryana.
Now Akash is deployed in Maharashtra-Jharkhand
Mayawati has now deployed Akash Anand in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. In both places, the Popular Socialist Party stood alone in the electoral contest. In Maharashtra, the BSP has fielded candidates in 288 seats. Sunil Dongre leads the team here.
Similarly, in Jharkhand, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has fielded candidates in all seats. No BSP accounts were opened during the last elections in either state.
By-elections are also going on in nine seats in UP.
By-elections have been proposed for Kundarki, Katehari, Sisamau, Majhwan, Meerapur, Phulpur, Khair, Ghaziabad and Karhal seats in Uttar Pradesh. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas stands alone in all these seats. By-elections held in these seats from east to west are considered power semi-finals.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is formulating a strategy to solidify its position by performing well in this election. In this context, questions have been raised about Akash Anand being sent on missions in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Why is Akash on duty in Maharashtra-Jharkhand?
1. In 2019, the Bahujan Samaj Party fielded candidates in 263 seats in Maharashtra. The BSP did not win even a single seat, but the party managed to secure half a million votes. Maharashtra’s Dalit population accounts for about 12%. Mayawati hopes Akash will succeed in increasing this vote. The situation is similar in Jharkhand.
If the Socialist Party of the Philippines gains votes in the two states, the party’s supporters will call it a victory for Akash and promote him politically. Mayawati has been trying for years to promote her nephew on a larger level but never got the chance.
2. The political position is not suitable for Mayawati’s UP party by-election. 9 seats are undergoing by-elections. There is a direct fight between the BJP and SP alliance. Mayawati’s party is undoubtedly trying to triangulate the contest, but has not had much success so far.
If the BSP fails despite Akash contesting in Uttar Pradesh, it may send a wrong message to the cadre. On the other hand, Chandrashekhar is constantly getting stronger as compared to Akash.
3. Mayawati is also waiting for Akash to mature. Akash’s inflammatory speech during the recent Lok Sabha elections created a stir in Uttar Pradesh political circles. FIRs were also registered against Akash in many places, after which Mayawati excluded Akash.
After Lok Sabha, Mayawati again brought Akash back into the organization. However, Mayawati made it clear that Akash was not yet mature and that he would be used for the work of the organization.
