Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has removed Amroha MP Danish Ali as the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha, reportedly for straying from the party line on the Centre’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370. At a meeting of BSP MPs on Wednesday, she named Jaunpur MP Shyam Singh Yadav in his place.

Wider reshuffle

Mayawati also made other organisational changes. The party’s state president, RS Kushwaha, was replaced by Rajya Sabha MP Munquad Ali, and Kushwaha was made general secretary of the BSP’s central unit. Ritesh Pandey, described as the MLA from Ambedkar Nagar, was appointed the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.

According to sources, Mayawati also reprimanded Danish Ali and lawmakers Veer Singh and Ashok Siddharth at the meeting. Malook Nagar, MP for Meerut and Bijnor, was rebuked over a statement he made on the Unnao rape case.

Differences with the party

Sources said Danish Ali had disagreed with the party on several issues. He had opposed the BSP’s decision to walk out during the vote on the Triple Talaq bill, preferring to vote against it rather than help it pass smoothly.

On Kashmir, Ali did not speak in the Lok Sabha but asked for a discussion on the issue, even as his party welcomed the government’s move.

See also: Lok Sabha members

Originally published on 8 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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