Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has often been speculated as the successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many political analysts and party insiders believe that after Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath could emerge as the party’s next prominent leader at the national level. However, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister has now responded to these claims, shedding light on his political future and indicating where his focus lies beyond his tenure in Uttar Pradesh.
During a session at an event, Yogi Adityanath was asked about the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the political dynamics leading up to them. Responding to the question, he confidently stated that the 2027 election would witness an “80-20 battle,” implying that 80 percent of the electorate would support the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, while the remaining 20 percent would back the opposition. He further asserted that all efforts and strategies were aligned toward ensuring this outcome, which he firmly believes will be reflected in the final results.
When questioned about the possibility of shifting his political focus towards Delhi, Yogi Adityanath outright dismissed any such aspirations. Addressing the speculation about him being the heir to Narendra Modi within the party, he firmly denied the notion, stating that he is neither seeking any succession nor positioning himself for a national role. Instead, he expressed his preference for returning to Gorakhpur, where he has deep spiritual and political roots. He emphasized that he sees himself as a yogi first and foremost and wants to continue serving the people in that capacity. Yogi Adityanath reiterated that his current role is to serve the people of Uttar Pradesh, and he is dedicated to fulfilling that responsibility. However, he added that if given the opportunity, he would be more inclined to return to Gorakhpur, where he could continue his spiritual duties and further his commitment to the yogi dharma.
During the discussion, Yogi Adityanath also commented on the ongoing controversy surrounding Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He criticized those who regard Aurangzeb as an icon or an ideal, calling such a mindset a sign of “mental perversion.” He remarked that no civilized person would name their child after Aurangzeb, citing historical instances where the Mughal ruler imprisoned his own father, Shah Jahan. Referring to Shah Jahan’s own writings, Yogi Adityanath noted that the former emperor had lamented having a son like Aurangzeb. He further asserted that Uttar Pradesh has become the best place to correct such “mental distortions” and sarcastically invited those with such views to visit the state for “proper treatment.”
Yogi Adityanath’s remarks have once again sparked discussions about his future political role, as well as the ideological stance of the Bharatiya Janata Party. While speculation about his possible national role persists, his statements indicate a clear preference for continuing his work in Uttar Pradesh and eventually returning to his spiritual roots in Gorakhpur.
