Adityanath dismisses reports of differences with central leaders; says he a Yogi at heart

PEOPLE WHO ARE CREATING A CONTROVERSY OVER LANGUAGE CAN ACHIEVE THEIR POLITICAL INTERESTS, BUT ARE IN A WAY DEALING A BLOW TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUNGSTERS

- Press Trust of India

LUCKNOW: Politics is not a full-time occupation for him and he remains a Yogi at heart, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said, parrying a query about a section of people seeing him as the future prime minister of India.

In an interview with PTI, Adityanath dismissed reports about differences between him and BJP's central leaders, noting that he is in the chief minister's chair because of the party.

"Can I remain in the chair by having differences with the party's central leaders," Adityanath asked, adding that he cannot shut the mouth of anyone stoking speculation about such differences.

To a question on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) support for him, he said the Hindutva organisation backs anyone who is "committed to Bharat" and will inspire those who are not to turn to the right path.

The chief minister said his primary role is serving the people of Uttar Pradesh, as entrusted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "I am the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and the party has placed me here to serve the people of the state," he said.