Blood has turned out to be thicker than water. For the new post, created for the first time in BSP, is a notch above that of national coordinator which Anand held before his expulsion. The axe has obviously buried between the aunt and the nephew. And if Anand harboured any resentment, the new post whose responsibility entails looking after the game plan of the party in all state units, ought to mollify him.

Three national coordinators namely Raja Ram, Ramji Gautam and Randhir Singh have been sidelined by the decision of elevating Akash. But never mind as the bloodline has to be retained.

More signs of favours showered on Anand followed. Mayawati called upon party elders to give their blessings and support to Akash in the party work and he would accompany her to every function.

Akash's elevation leads to his outranking of three national coordinators who are more experienced than him. But keeping an age old tradition of Indian politics where political experience is elbowed by family ties, Mayawati has ignored intra-party democracy.

It is family first for her. His elevation marks Akash Anand bring groomed as a leader and his aunt's successor once again. A message has been doing the rounds that Akash is to be told of his mistakes in private. No public dressing down for the heir apparent.

To trace back the reason why aunt and nephew fell out was Akash was reported to be working under the influence of his father-in-law Ashok Siddharth, a former Rajya Sabha MP of BSP. Siddharth has been expelled for allegedly "indulging in factionalism and anti-party activities'.

Akash was booked for promoting enmity during a speech in Sitapur during last Lok Sabha polls. He was removed by Mayawati as the national coordinator and her successor. Akash’s return to BSP was preceded by a public apology in April. The party supremo decided to give him "another chance" provided he 'respected his seniors and did not give in to his father-in-law's advice'.

So a family connect continues to be a clause which is an essential pre-requisite of Akash Anand’s political rehabilitation. Blood ties are here to stay overriding political experience. (IPA Service)