Yogi Adityanath’s Early political career
Yogi Adityanath’s political journey began in 1996, when he was entrusted with managing the election campaign for Mahant Avaidyanath. His political career gained momentum when he was elected as a Member of the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 from the Gorakhpur constituency. Remarkably, he became one of the youngest Indian parliamentarians at the age of 26. Yogi Adityanath went on to win the next five consecutive terms from Gorakhpur. In 2017, he transitioned from central politics to Uttar Pradesh state politics and was elected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Initially, in 2017, he became a member of the UP Legislative Council, and later, in 2022, he secured a seat in the state legislative assembly from Gorakhpur Urban. Alongside his political role, Yogi Adityanath continues to serve as the mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math, a revered Hindu monastery in Gorakhpur.
Yogi Adityanath’s Member of Parliament
Yogi Adityanath, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has had a remarkable political journey:
- Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha): Yogi Adityanath entered the Lok Sabha in 1998, representing the Gorakhpur constituency. His tenure as an MP spanned almost two decades, during which he won five consecutive terms from Gorakhpur.
- Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: In 2017, he transitioned from central politics to Uttar Pradesh state politics and was elected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He has been serving in this role since 19 March 2017. Notably, he is the longest-serving chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and the only one to have two consecutive terms.
- Spiritual Leadership: Yogi Adityanath is also the mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math, a revered Hindu monastery in Gorakhpur. He assumed this position in September 2014 after the passing of his spiritual Guru, Mahant Avaidyanath.
Yogi Adityanath’s Relations with the BJP
Yogi Adityanath’s relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been multifaceted and occasionally strained. Let’s delve into some key aspects:
- Early Strain: In 1998, Yogi Adityanath was elected to the Indian Parliament after joining the BJP. However, there were reports of his strained relations with state BJP leaders. Allegedly, he criticized the party for diluting the Hindutva ideology during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Independent Power Base: Yogi Adityanath established his own power base in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, garnering support from the Hindu Yuva Vahini and the Gorakhnath Math. His confidence led him to voice judgments and assert his terms within the BJP.
Yogi Adityanath’s Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (2017–present)
Yogi Adityanath has been serving as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since March 19, 2017. During his tenure, he has focused on various aspects of governance, including law and order, infrastructure development, and religious affairs. His leadership has been both praised and criticized, and he remains a prominent figure in Indian politics.
Yogi Adityanath’s Ministry allocation:
After becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath directly oversees around 36 ministries, including key portfolios such as Home, Housing, Town and Country Planning, Revenue, Food and Civil Supplies, Mining, Personnel, Institutional Finance, and Estate. His responsibilities span a wide range of areas, reflecting his active involvement in governance and administration.
Yogi Adityanath’s Law and order:
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP), has implemented several measures to improve law and order in the state. Here are some key aspects of the ‘Yogi Model for Law and Order’:
- Zero Tolerance for Crime and Corruption: Yogi Adityanath initiated face-to-face interactions with field-level police officers through frequent video conferences. He made it clear that he has zero tolerance for both crime and corruption. His unwavering support for honest officers and strict action against malicious actions raised the morale of the police force.
- Encounter Policy: While there is no formal ‘encounter policy,’ the police have become more proactive in responding to criminal threats. By using graded and proportionate force, they aim to arrest criminals. However, in cases of self-defense, deadly force may be used. Criminals now understand that they will face consequences if they dare to attack the police.
- Anti-Land-Mafia Task Force: Yogi Adityanath established an anti-land-mafia task force to tackle land-grabbing. This task force targets both street-level robbers and powerful mafias who wield guns and money.
- Improved Morale: Yogi Adityanath’s focus on raising the morale of the police force has been crucial. By empowering them to enforce the Rule of Law, he has significantly improved the state’s law and order situation.
Yogi Adityanath’s Infrastructure development:
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Ayodhya is undergoing significant infrastructure development. The ambitious plan aims to transform Ayodhya into one of the world’s best cities by 2033, with an anticipated investment of ₹85,000 crore in various projects. Here are some key aspects:
- Comprehensive Development: The plan encompasses 27 key aspects, including infrastructure, transportation, and beautification.
- Completed and Ongoing Projects:
- Upgraded roads and parking facilities
- Expanded railway lines
- Modernized railway and bus stations
- Developed the airport
- Enhanced Guptar Ghat, temple museum, and wax museum
- Revitalized Ayodhya’s market
- Rejuvenated 37 religious sites through renovation and beautification efforts
- Cultural Initiatives:
- Cultural events at 25 mythological and 39 intersections
- Water sports and sound-and-light shows with river cruises on the Saryu
- 500 prefabricated toilets along the Saryu ghats
- Parikrama maarg development
- Beautification of various temples
- Innovative Features:
- World’s longest solar street light project (over 10 km)
- Weather forecasting in 140 languages
- Solar-powered boats
- Multilingual guide boards
- Helicopter services
- E-cart and wheelchair facilities
Yogi Adityanath Ordinance and bills:
Here are some notable ordinances and bills introduced during Yogi Adityanath’s tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh:
- Paper Leak Prevention Ordinance:
- The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved an ordinance to prevent incidents of paper leaks and unfair means in exams.
- If a person is found guilty of a paper leak, they could face life imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.
- Solver gangs involved in paper leaks will be held accountable, and companies facilitating malpractices will be blacklisted for life.
- Electricity Bill Waiver for Farmers:
- In a gesture during the festival of Holi, the UP Cabinet decided to waive electricity bills for farmers with private tube wells. The waiver is retrospective from April 1, 2024 and benefits around 1.5 crore farmers in the state.
- Law Against ‘Love Jihad’:
- The new legislation aims to curb alleged instances of religious conversion solely for marriage.
- It imposes fines and a jail term of up to ten years for men found to have converted a woman’s religion for marriage through force, coercion, or misrepresentation.
- Anti-“Romeo” Squads and Cow Smuggling Ban:
- Yogi Adityanath ordered the formation of quasi-vigilante anti-“Romeo” squads to address local matters.
- He imposed a blanket ban on the smuggling of cows and stayed UPPSC civil service exam results, exams, and interviews.
Yogi Adityanath Second term (2022–present):
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has made history by being re-elected for a second consecutive term. He is the only chief minister to achieve this feat in the state. The swearing-in ceremony took place on March 25, 2022, at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Alongside him, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were sworn in as deputy chief ministers. Yogi Adityanath’s leadership continues to shape the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
