Yogi Adityanath today filed his nomination from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, where he is contesting his first state election. Before taking his first formal step towards fighting the UP election, the five-time MP prayed at the Gorakhnath temple – where he remains head priest – and performed a havan.
Union home minister Amit Shah, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP UP president Swatantradev Singh were present at the district collectorate office.
“BJP is the biggest organisation in the world. In 2017, the party formed the government in UP. In 2019, when the SP-BSP alliance was formed, political analysts had written off BJP, but under the guidance of Amit Shah, the Mahagathbandhan failed. There is no negative feedback from UP people about the BJP government,” Adityanath said.
Gorakhpur Sadar is considered to be his stronghold. Adityanath won parliamentary elections for a record five terms since 1998 from Gorakhpur. He had to resign in 2017 after he was made the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He was then elected to the Legislative Council.
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In Uttar Pradesh, the first phase polling will be held on February 10, the second phase on February 14, the third phase on February 20, the fourth phase on February 23, the fifth phase on February 27, the sixth phase on March 3 and the seventh phase on March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
Gorakhpur Sadar will go to the polls on March 3 during the sixth phase of elections in the state.
Bhim Army’s Chandra Shekhar has announced that he will contest against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The lawyer-turned-activist had co-founded the Dalit rights outfit Bhim Army and he is its national president. He launched the ASP (K) in March 2020 and is the party president. The Samajwadi Party is yet to announce its candidate.
(With inputs from PTI)
