On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath categorically asserted that roads are for traffic and not for doing namaz. He also advised the Islamo-leftist cabal and radical elements among the Muslim community to learn discipline from the Hindu community. For this, he cited the effective, crime free management of the Mahakumbh 2025.
In an interview with News Agency PTI, CM Yogi touched host of issues including the pressing concern of law and order issue due to namaz prayers on roads, his future in politics as well as his alleged rifts with the party’s Central leadership.
He also spoke about the growing public sentiment that backs him as the future prime minister of India, CM Yogi kept his cards close to his chest saying that he doesn’t consider politics his full-time job.
CM Yogi told PTI, “Look, I am the chief minister of the state, the party (Bharatiya Janata Party) has put me here for the people of Uttar Pradesh, and politics is not a full-time job for me. Currently, we are working here but in reality, I am a Yogi.”
VIDEO | EXCLUSIVE: Here’s what Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) said responding to a question regarding a large section of people wanting to see him as the Prime Minister someday:
“Look, I am the Chief Minister of the state, the party has put me here for the… pic.twitter.com/kTacrrfdaI
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 1, 2025
In an open-ended reply regarding his future political prospects, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister added, “As long as we are here, we are working… there will be a time limit to this too.”
Strikingly, the query comes in the wake of Sanjay Raut’s remark where the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that BJP’s ideological mentor, the RSS, wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down by September this year so as to make way for new leadership. Raut had further alleged that when PM Modi visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, the BJP leader was reminded of the “75-year norm.” While the media has stirred a frenzy over this informal retirement age in the BJP, and the opposition clings to it as a last-ditch hope to sideline PM Modi without an electoral defeat, the BJP has repeatedly dismissed an age bar for leaders. Currently serving his third term, PM Modi will turn 75 years of age in September 2025.
Furthermore, both the BJP and RSS have categorically rubbished Sanjay Raut’s remarks. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis even went on to assert, “In 2029, we will see Modi ji as the prime minister again.”
CM Yogi rubbishes reports of rifts with BJP high command
Rubbishing reports around his differences with the Central leadership, CM Yogi asked, “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?”
He further added, “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.”
Yogi Adityanath led UP government just recently completed its eight years of governance. CM Yogi is also the state’s longest-serving chief minister.
CM Yogi on Namaz on Roads, Bulldozer action and Mahakumbh administration
VIDEO | EXCLUSIVE: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) describes the state administration’s decision to ban namaz on roads as right, adding that people should learn discipline from devotees who came to Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh.
“Roads are meant for walking… pic.twitter.com/XSQvRxIJRF
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 1, 2025
In his PTI interview, CM Yogi defended the administration’s decision to ban namaz on roads as right. He said, “Roads are meant for walking and those who are saying…. should learn discipline from Hindus. 66 crore people came to Prayagraj… there was no looting anywhere, no arson anywhere, no molestation anywhere, no vandalism anywhere, no kidnapping anywhere, this is discipline, this is religious discipline. They came with reverence, participated in the ‘Mahasnan’, and then moved towards their destination. Festivals and celebrations or any such events should not become a medium for insolence. If you want convenience, then learn to follow that discipline as well.”
