New Delhi: In what is being described as a ‘political bomb’ being dropped by the Bharatiya Janata Party, choosing 44-year-old Yogi Adityanath as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh is an appointment touted as maths of a different kind.
The firebrand nationalist is being seen as an asset that will help the BJP consolidate Hindu votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But according to political experts, it would do well for the party, if before that controversy’s favourite child focuses on good governance and controls his tongue and tones down his antagonism.
Yogi, known to wear Hindutva on his sleeves, did show some of that zeal on Saturday when he spelt out his first directive. Ensuring the winning celebrations by enthusiastic party workers did not take its toll over normal public life in the state, he held a meeting with senior administrative officers. Issuing clear directives he said, “Public order should not be disturbed in the name of celebrations.”
It goes to the credit of Yogi that both Hindus and Muslims from his birthplace Gorakhpur, have celebrated his selection for UP’s top job. The reason is attributed to the help he has provided to people from the Muslim community of the area. His Facebook page highlights the various projects he has launched in the region. Besides, he has substantial following among the Dalits and other backward communities and has repeatedly spoken for the cause of the marginalised sections of the society.
The five-time MP has, however, time-and-again stirred controversies over his inflammatory speeches against Muslims shocking many. Little though is known of his pre-Yogi days, except that he got a B.Sc degree in Maths and renounced his family at the age of 21 to become a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath, the head priest of Gorakhnath Math. He followed it by becoming a monk and learning Hindu texts. Within five years, he was instrumental in running schools, colleges and a hospital.
After being associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) during his university days, Yogi entered mainstream politics in 1998, when his guru Avaidyanath vacated his parliamentary seat for him and Yogi won the elections.
Upset that the BJP had denied tickets to names recommended by him in 2012 assembly elections, the Hindu Yuva Vahini, founded by Yogi, fielded candidates against BJP’s nominees on several seats. The ice between him and the BJP melted soon after and sensing his popularity, the party made him campaign extensively in certain districts of UP during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Yogi is considered close to party veteran Lal Krishna Advani and is held in high regard in the current party set-up. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also praised Yogi and called him a popular and hardworking member of parliament.
CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS
• If the other side (Muslims) does not stay in peace, we will teach them how to stay in peace ….in the language that they understand.
• Those who oppose surya namaskar can leave India. Those who see communalism in even the sun deity should drown themselves in the sea or live in a dark room for the rest of their lives.
• India has always strived for cordial relations between the two neighbours. But the Pathankot attack has once again proved that Satan can change for the better, but Pakistan cannot.
• Shah Rukh Khan should remember that if a huge mass in society boycotts his films, he will also have to wander on streets like a normal Muslim….
• If one Hindu girl is converted, we will convert 100 Muslim girls …. The way Hindu girls are insulted, I don’t think a civilised society would accept it …
. if the government is not doing anything, then the Hindus will have to take matters into their own hands.
LIFE AND TIMES
• Yogi Adityanath was born on June 5, 1972 in Panchur village, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.
• Belonging to Rajput community, he was named Ajay Singh.
• He did Bachelor of Science from Garhwal University.
• Formed a political party Hindu Yuva Vahini in 2002.
• He is the head priest of the Gorakhnath temple.
• Youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26.
• Five-time MP from Gorakhpur, he was elected in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014.
