The MP from gorakhpur has become a formidable force in the state. can he take the BJP to victory in the 2017 assembly elections?
By Vishwas Kumar
GORAKHPUR, one of the most backward districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, also known as Poorvanchal, has no similarity with Gujarat, one of the most prosperous states in India, except that both begin with the letter ‘G’. However, there is one similarity that Hindutva proponents proudly proclaim: If Gujarat has given rise to Narendra Modi, Gorakhpur has seen the rise of another strong proponent of this faith—Yogi Aditya-nath. No wonder, his supporters have started a social media campaign, “Yogi for CM” (of Uttar Pradesh), taking a cue from the 2014 general election slogan, “Modi for PM”.
There are several similarities between these two poster boys of Hindutva. Both are firebrand orators and have won repeated laurels on the political stage. Adityanath, 42, a five-time member of parliament (MP), was first elected on a BJP ticket in 1988 and became the youngest MP at 26. He got initiated into Hindu religious causes during his college days, while Modi joined the RSS during his school days.
WORTHY SUCCESSOR
Adityanath graduated in science from Uttaranchal and became yogi at 22. He was a follower of Mahant Avaidyanath, the chief priest of the famous Gorakhnath Temple. As per the temple’s traditions, Avaidyanath anointed Adityanath as his successor in February 1994, giving him immense clout as well as responsibility for the humongous wealth collected by the temple trusts. Avaidyanath, incidentally, died on September 13 this year and Adityanath formally became the temple chief priest.
It was no ordinary legacy which was bequeathed on Adityanath. His guru, Avaidyanath, was not only one of the leading lights of the Ram Temple movement in Ayodhya, but was also a popular political leader. He was elected five times consecutively from Maniram assembly. In 1970, he was elected MP from Gorakhpur as an independent candidate and won again in 1989 as a candidate of the Hindu Mahasabha. In 1991 and 1996, he won from the same seat as a BJP nominee.
His successor, Adityanath, was equally able. He won his first Lok Sabha seat from Gorakhpur in 1988 and followed this in 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. Interestingly, his victory margin kept getting higher and higher, till in the 2014 elections, it touched a massive 3,12,783 votes. This was a testimony to his rising popularity even at a time when the BJP did poorly in Uttar Pradesh for almost 15 years, till 2014.
Talking to mediapersons about his political-social agenda during the 2014 elections, Adityanath recently said: “My agenda is Hindutva and development and they complement each other. Hindutva is a guarantee of development and security. BJP’s slogan also says ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (participation and development for all).” He also said that politicians were facing credibility problems as they didn’t communicate with their voters. “In Gorakhpur, the situation is different as I have a direct connect with people. I have not deviated from my original agenda and am still working based on ideology and issues. I don’t believe in a difference between ‘kathni’ (words) and ‘karni’ (deeds),” he declared.
‘He also rejected allegations of playing communal politics and reportedly said, “I am not asking for votes in the name of Hindus or Muslims. Only those who have faith in Indian nationalism should vote for me. I have visited several Muslim-dominated constituencies like Domariaganj and got a good response.” He also assured: “We would provide security and development to all but we expect that no community should consider itself above law and the constitution.” He has maintained this stand even after his victory and despite outcry from opposition parties and the media.
FEARED LEADER
Despite his formidable political achievements, Adityanath did not share a cozy relationship with the BJP’s top brass for several years and his activities remained confined to eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially the adjoining districts of Gorakhpur. The party’s leadership in the state did not give him any key organizational role. One of the likely reasons is that senior leaders feared his charismatic personality, oratorial skills and phenomenon organizational ability.
Of course, the caste factor, too, played a role. Adityanath was a Rajput and his real name was Ajay Singh. In a state where every political activity is seen through a caste prism, his past did not leave him even when he joined the Nath Peeth as a follower of Baba Gorakhnath, who, ironically was opposed to the caste system. It is an open secret that the party’s tallest Rajput leader from Uttar Pradesh, Rajnath Singh, always ensured that Adityanath remained sidelined.
Matters came to a head in 2007, when he openly quarreled with senior BJP party leaders over ticket distribution for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. When his request for tickets to his nominees for key constituencies was denied, he openly rebelled and campaigned against the party’s candidates. A year earlier, in a show of strength, he had stunned party leaders by organizing a highly successful “Virat Hindu Mahasa-mmelan” from December 22-24 in Gorakhpur. It was attended by thousands of people, including many Sangh Parivar leaders, local sadhus as well as more than 500 delegates from Nepal, a Hindu kingdom.
The Mahasammelan was organized parallel to the BJP’s three-day national executive meeting at Lucknow. Despite his differences with the party’s leadership, he always shared a close relationship with Hindutva outfits like the RSS, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal. Therefore, it is no coincidence that his rise coincides with that of the Modi-Amit Shah combine. Shah appointed him in-charge of the campaign committee for the recent Uttar Pradesh by-polls.
Even though the by-poll results were not as per expectation, there is no doubt among party leaders that Adityanath’s clout will only grow. The reason is the belief that Uttar Pradesh needs a popular face to take on the Samajwadi Party and woo dalits from the Bahujan Samaj Party for the assembly elections, scheduled for 2017. The BJP also feels that voters have matured enough to unite in the name of its twin agenda of Hindutva and development.
GROWING CLOUT
To achieve all these targets and sell them, it needs a popular face. And Adityanath’s background and personality fit. Besides being young and articulate, he has a Robin Hood image, with a willingness to take up even a small issue like “love jehad” if it concerns the local community. The party feels there is a need to highlight his works in Gorakhpur and project him as someone who can match Modi’s charisma.
Another important factor that has worked in Adityanath’s favor, according to party insiders, is his enormous clout in the Poorvanchal area, which covers Modi’s parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. Both Gorakhpur and Varanasi parliamentary constituencies have a similar demographic population. They have a high density of Muslims with little communal disturbance. Party leaders feel that once Varanasi witnesses the developmental activities, these can be showcased along with Gorakhpur across the state to counter their rivals’ allegations that the BJP is anti-Muslim.
Adityanath has a series of “cultural” organizations which help him. These are: Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), Hindu Jagran Manch, Sri Ram Shakti Prakoshtha, Gorakhnath, Purvanchal Vikas Manch, Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha and Hindu Mahasabha. The most vital of these is the HYV, which mobilizes the youth towards Hinduism, against the threat of Islamic terrorism and anti-social elements. Earlier based in Poorvanchal, it has now spread its wings towards western Uttar Pradesh, which has seen several communal clashes in the run-up to the 2014 elections. It has taken up the issue of cow-slaughter and “love jehad” to mobilize the Hindu community. HYV’s forceful intervention to counter minority appeasement has escalated even trivial issues, leading to tensions and clashes.
However, Adityanath insists that HYV is simply a cultural organization. “Our philosophy is to live and let live, but if someone puts their hands on our throats, we have the right to remove that hand by force if need be,” he told said.
It remains to be seen if his stars will shine brighter in Uttar Pradesh.