One explanation for his sudden fall from grace is that his belligerent speeches did not go down well with his aunt. He has attacked leaders by name, accused some of seeking an end to reservation, and was increasingly critical of the RSS. The last straw is said to have been a savage attack on both the BJP and the Union government. The second explanation doing the rounds is that BJP leadership did not want a younger, more popular Dalit leader to emerge in Uttar Pradesh from the BSP, and leaned on Mayawati.
โHe was projected as the partyโs future face and, at one stage, was formally declared Mayawatiโs successor. His appeal among younger supporters and his attempts to assert himself within the organisation gave him a profile that went beyond that of a conventional office-bearer,โ points out Kamal Jayant, a long-time observer of Dalit politics.
Akash, he recalls, had criticised inactive party office-bearers and sought greater accountability from those holding organisational posts. He risked upsetting established leaders who had worked with Mayawati for years.
On 10 December 2023, Akash was announced as Mayawatiโs political heir and appointed national coordinator. Within months, he was stripped of all responsibilities and kept away from the Lok Sabha election campaign in April 2024.
On 23 June 2024, he was reinstated as national coordinator. In March 2025, he was expelled from the party, accused of arrogance and over-ambition under the influence of his father-in-law. On 13 April, he was forgiven. On 18 May, he was re-appointed national coordinator and on 29 August, given the newly minted post of chief national coordinator. What was that roller-coaster ride all about?
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