'Heir apparent' nephew learning politics from Maya?

The presence of Akash Kumar, Mayawati's nephew, along with the BSP supremo during some important occasions has once again fueled speculations that he may be Mayawati's political successor.

A management graduate from a prestigious foreign institute, Akash was the son of Mayawati's younger brother Anand Kumar.

Akash was seen with Mayawati on three politically important occasions in Lucknow in the past few days.

He accompanied the BSP supremo at the press conference, which she jointly addressed with Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, where she announced the electoral alliance between the SP and the BSP.

Akash was again found standing by Mayawati's side, when she met Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav a few days ago.

On Tuesday, too, Akash was seen accompanying Mayawati when Akhilesh called on her to greet her on her 63rd birthday.

Though Akash does not hold any post in BSP, his presence with her at important political meetings has set the tongues wagging in political circles that he could be the BSP supremo's successor.

Around 12 years ago, Mayawati had declared at a public meeting in Lucknow that her successor would not be from her family and would be ''15 years younger than her'' but of her own ''caste''.

It remains to be seen if Akash does emerge as Mayawati's successor.