Yogi Adityanath may contest from Ayodhya or Gorakhpur

Vibha Sharma

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New Delhi, January 12

Contrary to the speculation that he may contest from Mathura, sources in the BJP indicate that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to pitch his claim in the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh either from Ayodhya or Gorakhpur, his original area of influence.

Adityanath who is currently an MLC did not contest the last election in 2017 as at that time he was still the BJP MP from Gorakhpur where the Gorakhnath Math of which he is the mahant is located.

Of late, there was the speculation that Adityanath may contest from Mathura, the constituency currently represented by his Power Minister Shrikant Sharma.

The BJP has been building a pitch around a grand temple for Lord Krishna at his birthplace in Mathura on the lines of the Ram Temple atAyodhya.

Sources, however, said Shrikant Sharma is likely to be repeatedfrom Mathura.

Therefore, Adityanath will contest either from Ayodhya or Gorakhpur.

When Adityanath’s relation with the BJP leadership soured around 2002,he not only activated the Hindu Mahasabha in east UP but also launched the Hindu Yuva Vahini to mobilise youth for the Ram temple movement.

The organisation has a good spread in the central and east UP.