Mayawati Expels Ashok Siddharth from BSP Ahead of UP Elections 2027

In a major internal shake-up, BSP chief Mayawati expels Ashok Siddharth, a former Rajya Sabha MP and her own relative by marriage, from the Bahujan Samaj Party. The announcement, made on social media platform X, comes at a politically sensitive time as the party gears up for the crucial 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

What Led to the Expulsion

Mayawati announced that Ashok Siddharth, who is the father-in-law of her nephew and BSP national coordinator Akash Anand, has been expelled "with immediate effect" and will never be readmitted to the party. Alongside Siddharth, senior leader Randhir Singh Beniwal was also expelled for similar reasons.

According to Mayawati, Siddharth had previously been expelled from the party in January 2025 over issues related to ticket distribution during the Maharashtra Assembly elections. He was reinstated six months later after publicly apologising and promising the leadership he would not repeat such conduct. Following his return, he was assigned organisational responsibilities exclusively outside Uttar Pradesh, in states such as Karnataka, Odisha, and West Bengal, specifically to keep him away from UP politics ahead of the 2027 polls.

However, Mayawati alleged that complaints of "indiscipline" and "violation of party directives" continued to surface from these states despite repeated warnings. She said Siddharth had already been relieved of his responsibilities a day before the formal expulsion, but rumours about his possible return to Uttar Pradesh politics were, in her words, part of a "deliberate conspiracy" to create confusion within the party and disrupt its election campaign.

Randhir Singh Beniwal's Expulsion

Along with Siddharth, Randhir Singh Beniwal who had been overseeing party affairs in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir — was also expelled. Mayawati cited the same reasons: repeated indiscipline and disregard for organisational directives. She confirmed that Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Gautam would continue overseeing party operations in Punjab following the reshuffle.

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A Pattern of Discipline Ahead of Elections

This is not the first time Mayawati has taken strict disciplinary action against senior leaders, including family members, in the lead-up to major elections. In the past, she has also removed her nephew Akash Anand from key party posts, citing concerns about his judgment and alleged influence from Siddharth. Political observers see this latest move as part of a broader pattern: tightening control over the party's organisational structure and messaging ahead of a high-stakes election.

Why This Matters for UP Politics

Uttar Pradesh remains one of India's most politically significant states, sending the largest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha. The BSP, once a dominant force built on Dalit and backward-caste support, has seen its influence decline in recent elections. With the 2027 UP Assembly polls approaching, Mayawati appears determined to project unity and discipline within the party, even if it means expelling close family connections.

Analysts suggest that this internal reshuffle could be aimed at reassuring cadre-level workers that the party leadership will not tolerate factionalism, especially in a state where BSP needs to rebuild its traditional vote base against strong competition from the BJP, Samajwadi Party, and Congress.

What's Next for the BSP

With the expulsions finalised, attention now turns to how the BSP will restructure its organisational leadership across the affected states Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. Party insiders expect further announcements regarding new appointments as Mayawati consolidates control in the run-up to the 2027 elections.

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