Besides breaking the decades-old jinx of Noida, UP CM Yogi Adityanath also breaks the 37-year-old record by coming to power for the second consecutive term in the country’s largest state!

Smashing all speculations of political Pandits and the myths, BJP’s ace Hindutva face and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath not only successfully retained the `Modi Magic’ but also became the CM of UP consecutively for the second time breaking a 37-year-old record of the grand old party of India—the Congress.

It was in 1980 that Congress formed the government in UP after a gap of about 2 years and continued in power for two consecutive terms till late 1989. After this, Congress never formed a government in UP and by and large, the power kept swindling between mostly the regional parties and on a few occasions, the BJP.

During his present tenure, Yogi also made several visits to Nodia which carries a jinx of toppling the ruling government if the CM visits there along with its dubious record of taking away the CM’s chair forever.

FACTORS BEHIND YOGI’S HISTORIC RETURN

The drastic improvement in law & order, all-around development, that includes infrastructure and investment, free ration, and the benefits of the double engine government (central and state) are the most important factors that led to the historic win of the BJP.

LAW AND ORDER

One of the main reasons for BJP’s thumping victory in UP was the law and order of the Yogi government-whether it was women’s safety or the harsh and stern action against the mafia and the criminals, people voted for BJP on this issue. The policy of zero tolerance towards corruption and strict action on criminals made him popular among a large section. With his rigid stance on illegal encroachments on lands, Yogi also got the name of `Bulldozer Baba’. Besides, rumbling down illegal buildings and encroachments, Yogi’s bulldozers did not even hesitate to demolish the properties of criminals and mafias, thus sending a very strong message. The policy of zero tolerance towards corruption also made him popular among the masses.

 IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL GOVT SCHEMES

The BJP also got the benefit of the welfare schemes of the central government. Be it the free ration, the Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, etc., UP was the front runner in the country in implementing the schemes. This not only benefited the residents of the state but also played a vital role in the conversion of votes in favor of the BJP.

FREE RATION AND COVID MANAGEMENT

During the Covid-19 pandemic across the country, the central government gave free ration to the poor people. About 15 crore people got benefit from this scheme in UP and going with the success of this scheme, the UP government also announced the distribution of free ration to the beneficiaries for 5 months. Besides this, the state government also arranged for work under MNREGA for the migrant laborers who returned to their native places during Covid-19.

Adding to this, the way the UP government managed the Covid-19 pandemic was also praised on the national as well as the international level. Be it the tracing and tracking, door-to-door survey, Covid-19 vaccination, and the management of hospitals, all added to the good books of the voters.

 HINDUTVA & RAM TEMPLE

 Like most of the elections pre and post-Ram Temple issue, it remained a major influential factor for the vote bank of BJP in these elections as well. Along with Ram Temple, Hindutva also ruled the roost as it was quite evident from the speeches of Yogi and other firebrand pro-Hindutva leaders.

 WEAK OPPOSITION

 The real ground fight in this election was seen between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP. Priyanka Gandhi tried to revive the Congress organization but she could not convert it into votes. The slogan `Ladki hun, Lad Sakti Hun’ (I am a girl, I can fight) also did not work for Congress and its candidates lost deposits on 98% of the seats it contested. The BSP was also not visible at the ground level. Mayawati was very less active in the 2022 elections and this also benefited BJP.

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