'Yogi Ko Thok Do': Congress Claims 'Bulldozer War' Within BJP To Remove Adityanath From UP CM Post

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala claims that Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has been summoned to Delhi to act against CM Yogi Adityanath alleging a 'bulldozer war' within the party.

Following the recent Lok Sabha election results, the internal discord within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come under scrutiny, with Congress leader Randeep Surjewala accusing the party of engaging in a 'bulldozer war' against itself. This internal strife within the BJP follows claims made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the Lok Sabha campaign. Kejriwal had claimed that Amit Shah would succeed Modi as Prime Minister on Modi's 75th birthday, 17 September 2025. He also suggested that Yogi Adityanath would be removed as UP Chief Minister within two months of the election results. 

Surjewala claimed, “Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has been summoned to Delhi, with indications to remove Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (Yogi ko thok do). I am unsure whether it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, or J.P. Nadda orchestrating these moves—only they know their own agenda. It appears that Yogi Ji is now targeting his own deputy and the party.”

He further alleged an internal battle within the saffron party and remarked, “The BJP is currently waging a 'bulldozer war'. This situation is unacceptable as the UP government seems to be bulldozing the interests of the people. We, as the INDIA alliance—comprising the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and others—are committed to working together for the welfare of the citizens.”

Speculation regarding potential changes in the UP government intensified when Adityanath held meetings with representatives from different regions of the state. Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya did not attend the meeting in the Prayagraj division, and BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary was absent from the Moradabad meeting. Although Brajesh Pathak was also missing from a meeting held on 26 July in Lucknow, his absence was attributed to personal reasons.

Delhi CM Kejriwal's Claim And Yogi Adityanath's Response

During the Lok Sabha election campaign, Delhi CM Kejriwal cited the BJP's policy, established by Modi, to remove anyone over the age of 75 from party and government positions. He contended, “This rule led to the retirement of prominent figures like Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. It is now being used to clear the way for Amit Shah.”

He further claimed that Yogi Adityanath was the last remaining threat to Amit Shah's assent; hence, PM Modi and Amit Shah were planning to remove him from Shah's way. "If they form the government, Yogi Adityanath will also be removed from the CM's post within two months," Kejriwal said.

In response, Adityanath dismissed Kejriwal’s statements, accusing him of losing his grip on reality following his incarceration. According to PTI, Adityanath said, “Kejriwal has lost his mind after going to jail. The Delhi CM, who shattered Anna Hazare's aspirations and sided with the corrupt, is now targeting me. He has embraced the Congress, against whom Anna protested, like a necklace.”