Prime Minister Modi’s Support Helps Yogi Adityanath Stay as Uttar Pradesh CM

During the Lok Sabha campaign, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a striking claim regarding the potential removal of Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, similar to other BJP CMs. This statement sparked widespread discussions in the political sphere.

Journalist Shyamlal Yadav’s latest book, ‘At the Heart of Power: The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh,’ sheds light on the precarious position Yogi Adityanath found himself in back in 2021. The book delves into the lives and tenures of 21 CMs of this crucial Indian state.

According to Mr. Yadav’s account, in May and June of 2021, several meetings were convened in both Delhi and Lucknow to deliberate on the potential replacement of Yogi Adityanath. Numerous BJP leaders and workers in Uttar Pradesh had been advocating for his removal citing various reasons, such as alienation of the Brahmin community, perceived detachment from the party organization, and frequent leaks in government exam papers.

A notable point highlighted by Mr. Yadav is the reported clashes between Yogi Adityanath and his deputy, Keshav Prasad Maurya. Following interventions from select RSS leaders, Yogi Adityanath made a spontaneous visit to Maurya’s residence on June 22, 2021, in an effort to mend strained relations.

Ultimately, the decision regarding Yogi Adityanath’s leadership was influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a visit to Lucknow for a government event, PM Modi met with the Chief Minister at the city’s Raj Bhawan on November 21, 2021. This meeting proved pivotal in solidifying Yogi Adityanath’s position, as he later shared a picture on Twitter showing PM Modi with a hand on his shoulder, symbolizing unity in their commitment to progress.

The recent political scenario in Uttar Pradesh has brought this significant incident to the forefront, underscoring Yogi Adityanath’s enduring role in shaping the state’s political landscape for the foreseeable future.