Yogi Adityanath as UP CM: Muslims disappointed; Cong calls it a cruel joke

Expresseing deep disappointment over the Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to elect their firebrand leader Yogi Adityanath's as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Muslim Cleric Maulana Mohammad Sajid Rashidi questioned the saffron party that how can a man with a history of propagating divisive agenda lead Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development plans for the state.

Speaking to ANI, the cleric said, "I am deeply disappointed with BJP's selection and I don't understand how a man who is charged with attempt to murder, a person who propagates divisive agenda, can be face of Uttar Pradesh chief Minister."

Citing Adityanath's recent hate speeches against Muslims, the Maulana further said that at least 13 per cent of Muslims voted for the BJP in the state assembly polls believing in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda for Uttar Pradesh, but now they are deeply disappointed with latter's selection.

Don't create chaos in the name of celebrations: Yogi Adityanath to his followers

The CM-designate called on his followers and admirers to maintain law and order during their celebrations, while giving full freedom to the state police to take action on those who create ruckus.

"There should be no chaos in the name of celebrations. Police must deal swiftly and firmly with miscreants," Yogi Adityanath said.

Adityanath will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, as governor Ram Naik will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Adityanath and his Cabinet at a function in Lucknow's Kanshiram memorial ground in the afternoon.

A five-time MP from the Gorakhpur constituency, he was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26.

Currently, Adityanath serves as the Mahant of Guru Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of Mahanth Aavaidyanath on September 12, 2014.

While Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma have been appointed as the deputy chief ministers of the state, Maurya was also in the race for the CM seat. The other contenders were Union Minister Manoj Sinha, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Congress on Sunday dubbed the decision to make Adityanath as UP's CM a 'cruel joke' and said the development has ensured that the state will no longer remain secular.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Rizwan Arshad said, "It is a cruel joke played on the people of UP. Yogi Adityanath is a divisive man, he divides society. He shamelessly propagates divisive agenda, which he carries forward from RSS."

Arshad further asserted that Uttar Pradesh will no remain secular, adding that the state will unfortunately fall back into chaos.

"BJP's decision that the saffron-robed Gorakhpur MP will hold the reins of the state is very unfortunate for the constitution and for the development of the state also. Now, Uttar Pradesh will go back into chaos, masjid-mandir days and old polarisation-communal days," he added.

Resonating similar views, Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal asserted that BJP's decision to make Yogi the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh is a part of their political agenda.

Shiv Sena's advice to Yogi Adityanath: Steer clear of making controversial remarks

Shiv Sena, which is already on thin ice with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), gave a wide berth to the controversy and the cries of outrage by the Opposition over Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath being given the reigns of Uttar Pradesh, however, the party added a word of advice for the firebrand priest-turned-politician.

Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "I have no comments to offer on this as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government can appoint any one as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh according to their will."

When asked if the controversial MP known for his provocative statements could handle UP, Raut said that it's best if Adityanath steered clear of making notorious remarks, as it will create chaos in the state.

"The controversial remarks won't work now as he will be the next chief minister of the Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state. If in case he does make such remarks, it will create chaos in the state. Now he should talk about development " he said.

Commenting on the Ram temple promise in Ayodhya, Raut asserted that if the Ram temple will not be built even after Yogi Adityanath appointment as UP chief minister, it will never get constructed.

JD (U) 'divided' over Yogi Adityanath's ascension to UP CM

The Janata Dal (United) appears to be divided over the Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to appoint Yogi Adityanath's as the CM of Uttar Pradesh, as difference of opinion over the character of the priest-turned-politician seems to be creating cracks in the party.

Speaking to ANI, JD (U) national secretary general K C Tyagi said, "We are unhappy with Yogi Adityanath's selection. He is a divisive man who propagates divisive agenda and is known to communally polarise people."

On the other hand, another JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav congratulated Yogi Adityanath saying that the party believes that he will ensure complete development and progress for the state.

"My best wishes to the party as they attained massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh polls. We have full faith that Yogi Adiyanath will fulfill party's dream and bring about all round development of the state," Yadav said.

New UP govt should ensure adequate power supply: ASSOCHAM

After the BJP’s astounding victory in the state apex industry body ASSOCHAM has said that the need of the hour is to ensure adequate electricity supply in the coming summer, giving urgent relief to Bundelkhand and finding lasting solutions for arrears of sugarcane farmers.

The top priority of the new government should be to drastically improve the quality and quantity of power supply in the ensuing summer. 

Uttar Pradesh has a sizeable annual budget of about Rs. 3.5 lakh crore with a deficit of about Rs 50,000 crore. Though there is a scope for bettering the state balance sheet, its fiscal situation is not as bad as some states', the chamber said.

The new government should immediately take recourse to the Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme of the Centre and bring the state utility to robust health so that the users in both rural and urban areas are given better power supply. 

Since the BJP is now in power in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, a better coordination should be achieved between the two states to give a better deal to the Bundelkhand areas, which have faced water scarcity and general backwardness, the chamber asserted.

In the recently held polls in the state, BJP had bagged 312 seats, and its allies 13, taking the alliance's tally to 325 in the 403-member Assembly.