Yogi, not Modi, tasked with repeating 2014 success in UP
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been tasked with leading Bharatiya Janata Party in the state in the run-up for upcoming elections. While the party is hoping to paint the politically-volatile state saffron riding on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successes and vision, Adityanath will address several rallies to ensure 2014 win. In the last elections, BJP had won 71 seats in UP.
Adityanath will address rallies in all constituencies
According to HT, Adityanath will address rallies in all 80 Lok Sabha constituencies of UP. Not only this, but he will also head gatherings in other parts of the country, including Northeast. "The party has planned more rallies of Yogi in constituencies where BJP is facing a strong challenge from the BSP-SP-RLD alliance or the Congress," the daily quoted a BJP leader.
Adityanath will have to regain Gorakhpur seat
The challenges ahead of Adityanath are plenty. Last year, BJP lost Gorakhpur, his bastion, in by-polls. Adityanath won from the constituency five times but an alliance of SP, BSP, and NISHAD party, snatched the seat from him. Losing the seat again will cast doubts on Adityanath's political leadership. This is precisely why he is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a BJP win.
Adityanath is hoping to woo Nishad community
Adityanath has already started wooing the Nishad community, which forms a sizeable vote bank in Gorakhpur. Notably, BJP has inducted SP MLA Rajmati Nishad and her son Amrendra Nishad in the party. Adityanath has also activated the Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), an organization he founded in 2002, which was eventually disbanded after he became UP's CM. Members of HYV are actively campaigning.
Adityanath is in full campaigning mode
Adityanath has already got into poll mode. He launched the campaign from Saharanpur's Shakumbhari Devi temple on Sunday. In a rally on Tuesday, Adityanath slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi. He claimed that when Rahul visited Somnath temple in Gujarat, he was sitting like he "was offering Namaz". He added Rahul and his sister Priyanka visit temples only when the poll season arrives.
Adityanath should be careful with his choice of words
It should be noted that the last time BJP banked on Adityanath, he didn't bring good news. In the assembly elections of 2018, he addressed 74 rallies: 26 in Rajasthan, 23 in Chhattisgarh, 17 in Madhya Pradesh and 8 in Telangana. He spoke about Hindutva, Ram Mandir, etc., but his divisive words didn't help BJP. The party lost Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.
