The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has witnessed a continuous rise of Mahamandaleshwars from various akhadas. In this sequence, a BJP MLA has also been crowned as a Mahamandaleshwar. Swami Prakrtanand, the MLA from the Bareilly constituency in Pilibhit, was honored with the title by the Nirmal Akhada after a Patabhishek ceremony. Swami Prakrtanand is also the head of the Akriya Dham in Khimariya. Having taken initiation from his guru, Swami Alakhanand, in Haridwar in 2003, Prakrtanand embraced sanyas and changed his name from Jayadrath to his present name. His new position as Mahamandaleshwar reflects his growing influence in both spiritual and political circles, marking a unique blend of religious leadership and political involvement.