India, Sept. 3 -- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday removed her nephew Akash Anand from the post of chief national coordinator, saying he needs more time to gain political "maturity" before being "entrusted with major responsibilities".

Addressing a meeting of the party's national committee at the BSP's state unit office in Lucknow, Mayawati said she had allowed Anand to continue working within the party.

"I have permitted Akash Anand to work within the party but believe he requires further maturity. It would be inappropriate to entrust him with major party responsibilities at this stage. Time is needed to ensure the party is not harmed in elections by opponents employing various tactics-such as conciliation, bribery,...