In what has come as a surprise to many, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Yogi Adityanath the MP from Gorakhpur as the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
PTI
BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya, who as one of the frontrunners to the post along with Dinesh Sharma have been made Deputy CMs.
He was chosen after RSS reportedly vetoed the party's top choice for Chief Minister, union telecom minister Manoj Sinha.?
Yogi Adityanath, who was one of BJP's star campaigners in the just concluded elections was in the reckoning for the post always, but with the names like union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and KC Maurya making rounds, many felt that the hardline hindutva leader did not have a chance.
PTI
Adityanath, also head priest of the Gorakhnath temple in eastern UP, has always been a controversial figure, due to his hardline stands, especially when it comes to issues minorities.
The unapologetic Hindutva leader has never shied away from his stands, despites coming under fire from various corners, thus making him a hero for the Hindu vote base.
PTI
His appointment will also be seen by many as the BJP going against the people's mandate, with a large share of minorities also voting for the party's development agenda.