Will Yogi Adityanath Run For PM's Post? Here's What He Said

Yogi Adityanath’s remarks come after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that PM Modi's Nagpur visit to the RSS headquarters was meant to signal his exit from politics in September.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath shared about his political future during an interview.

Source : PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday shared his political ambitions during an interview, revealing what he thinks about his career's future and the public backing him as the future Prime Minister. This comes amid a speculation over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible retirement in September this year, which was sparked after after his recent visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur.

During an exclusive interview with news agency PTI, Yogi Adityanath was questioned about the public sentiment favouring him as a future prime minister, to which he said that he doesn't consider politics his full-time job and that "in reality I'm a Yogi".

"Look, I am the Chief Minister of the state, the party has put me here for the people of Uttar Pradesh and politics is not a full-time job for me. At present, we are working here but in reality, I am a Yogi," he said.

He kept his future political prospects open-ended, and added, "As long as we are here, we are working... there will be a time limit to this too."

Sanjay Raut Alleges PM Modi To Announce Retirement In September

Yogi Adityanath’s remarks come after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that PM Modi's Nagpur visit was meant to signal his exit from politics in September.

Raut further stoked the controversy by claiming that during his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, PM Modi had been reminded of the "75-year norm," which was in reference to the informal retirement age some senior BJP leaders have followed. PM Modi, who is currently serving his third term, will turn 75 in September.

However, this speculation was dismissed by both the BJP and RSS, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserting, "In 2029, we will see Modi ji as the prime minister again."

“There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue,” Fadnavis said.

Yogi Dismisses Claims Of Rift With BJP 

Yogi Adityanath further rejected the speculation when asked about potential differences with the BJP high command, saying that he was still the UP CM because of the party's decision. 

"Where does the question of differences come from? After all, I am sitting here because of the party. Can I continue sitting here if I have differences with the central leaders?" the UP Chief Minister said.

"The second thing is that the distribution of (election) tickets is done by the parliamentary board of the party, and all matters are discussed in the parliamentary board. The matters reach there through proper screening. So, for the sake of speaking, anyone can say anything... one cannot shut someone's mouth," he stated.

Yogi Adityanath has been serving as the Uttar Pradesh CM for nine years across two consecutive terms, which makes him the state's longest-serving chief minister. However, the BJP suffered setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in UP as it managed to win only 33 seats, which was 29 less than what it secured in 2019. It was believed that the decline led to internal discontent and a possible rift between Yogi Adityanath and the BJP central leadership.