Yogi to take oath as UP CM on Friday, says PM Modi guided him on good governance

Yogi Adityanath on Thursday unanimously elected leader of the BJP Legislative Party, paving way for his swearing in as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the second straight term. Adityanath will take oath as CM on Friday at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior BJP leaders and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to attend the ceremony.

Addressing the newly elected BJP legislators, Adityanath turned emotional as he said the party retained power in the state under the guidance and leadership of Modi.

"For the first time, a chief minister completed his five-year tenure and the party came to power once again for the second time (in Uttar Pradesh). This has happened for the first time. It has happened under the guidance and leadership of PM Modi,” Adityanath said.

“I had no administrative experience in 2017 (when he became the chief minister). PM Modi guided me on good governance in UP,” he further said.

The BJP leader later met Governor Anandiben Patel to stake claim to form government in Uttar Pradesh.

Adityanath, a five-time MP from Gorakhpur, claimed several developmental projects had been carried out in Uttar Pradesh in the last five years with the support of Modi.

“For the first time, people realised that homes for poor could be built, for the first time people realised that UP can be riot free," he said.

Adityanath further said the prime minister's mantra of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" made impact despite the opposition propaganda.

The saffron-clad leader was elected BJP Legislative Party leader at a meeting of the newly elected MLAs at Lok Bhawan. The meeting was also attended by Amit Shah who hailed the chief minister, saying no party had returned to power in UP in the last 37 years.

The BJP stormed back to power in the politically crucial state after winning 255 out of 403 seats in the recently concluded Assembly elections.