Experts can’t decode as to why PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah , who fought elections in the name of development, chose Yogi Adityanath – arguably the biggest Hindu hardliner in the state.(Source: IE)

The appointment of Yogi Adityanath as the next chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has all the political pundits scratching their heads. Experts can’t decode as to why PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who fought elections in the name of development, chose Adityanath – arguably the biggest Hindu hardline leader in the state. Adityanath’s appointment makes sure that state’s Hindutva-brigade will rally behind BJP in Uttar Pradesh, and majoritarianism will help the saffron party retain current clout in the state. On caste lines, the Hindutva poster boy addresses two large communities – Upper Caste Hindus who are likely to be swayed by his background of being the Mahant (Supreme Priest) of Gorakhpur Math, and at the same time he belongs to the Thakur community (Real name: Ajay Singh), representing another big BJP vote bank. With that, Adityanath brings on table the image of a strong, muscular leader who can deal with UP’s law and order situation. Rest, we all have to wait and watch what Adityanath does. But what about ‘Vikaas’ (development)? There are hardly any records available to prove Adityanath is the ideal Vikaas Purush with vision to deliver PM Narendra Modi’s development vows in the state. Many would argue that PM and Amit Shah completely sidelined development for sake of Hindutva with Adityanath’s appointment. Here we make the case as to why two deputy chief ministers – Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya have been foisted on Adityanath – simply stated, to manage development work.

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The two leaders don’t really seem deputies, but co-managers with Adityanath in government. Dinesh Sharma, who brings with him administerial experience as Lucknow mayor and vice-chief Uttar Pradesh BJP Unit, makes a strong case as a crusader and engineer of all development related aspects in the state. The leader, who is also the national vice-president of BJP, is known for his closeness to PM Narendra Modi. Sharma was hand-picked by Modi as in-charge of his home state Gujarat soon after the party’s landslide victory in 2014 Lok Sabha election. The leader also represents the party’s “young upper-caste face” for the state.

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On the other hand, Keshav Prasad Maurya has already proved his prowess by successfully managing the UP election trail. He, however, wasn’t the only one managing this task. But what may have worked for him was his representation of OBC community which played a major role in BJP’s mammoth victory in state. While Yogi Adityanath is firebrand Hindu leader, Maurya and Sharma have always remained low key in UP politics. One crucial aspects which should be remembered here that Adityanath doesn’t come from a Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh-background. While Maurya and Sharma are both grassroots Sangh workers. Clearly, the state of Uttar Pradesh is heading for rule, not under one, but a collective leadership of three leaders. Amit Shah and PM Modi looked to have made a very wise decision with the announcement of three names to run the state. Hindutva and Vikaas will go hand-in-hand UP.