Yogi factor in 13 Purvanchal seats

CM's pro-development, anti-mafia image coupled with Hindutva resonates with people

-  NAMITA BAJPAI

NAMITA BAJPAI @ Lucknow THE Lok Sabha election, deeply embedded in Purvanchal, is reaching its climax. The stage for the final battle is set in Varanasi, PM Modi's constituency, Gorakhpur, the stronghold of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and Ghazipur, the bastion of the infamous Ansari brothers. This phase is also a test of the political clout of smaller stakeholders like Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal (S), OP Rajbhar of SBSP, and Sanjay Nishad of NISAHD, and their credibility as saffron allies.

With 13 seats up for grabs in phase 7, voting will take place on June 1. While PM Narendra Modi, considered one of the towering leaders in India, is the face of the BJP in campaigns, the Yogi Adityanath phenomenon, especially his pro-development, anti-mafia image coupled with his unapologetic approach to Hindutva, is resonating on the ground in the eastern front.