During a major public gathering in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, on the occasion of Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary, Aakash Anand, the national coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi's assertion that Kanshi Ram would have been made Chief Minister if Jawaharlal Nehru were alive. Anand underscored that Kanshi Ram was a formidable leader who played a pivotal role in shaping Indian politics, dubbing him a 'kingmaker' rather than someone dependent on others for political positions.

Anand's rebuttal serves to challenge what he perceives as a misunderstanding of Kanshi Ram’s legacy, suggesting that Gandhi's comments underestimate the stature and contributions of Kanshi Ram. He articulated that those celebrating Kanshi Ram's potential ascendancy to Chief Minister were likely misrepresenting his significance and contributions to the political landscape of the country. Anand emphasized that Kanshi Ram fostered a political ecosystem that enabled multiple leaders to rise to power, indicating a broader impact on India's political hierarchy.

For Anand and the BSP, honoring Kanshi Ram is not merely about remembering the past but also about understanding the depth of the Bahujan movement and its historical importance in contemporary politics. His remarks highlight an ongoing ideological struggle within Indian politics, particularly among parties representing marginalized communities as they seek to assert their place in the national narrative while critiquing the mainstream discourse represented by figures like Rahul Gandhi.