KKN Gurugram Desk | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday introduced a new slogan during a public rally in Milkipur, where bypolls are set to take place on February 5, 2025. The slogan, in Hindi, reads: “Ayodhya aur Mahakumbh ka ek hi sandesh, ekta se akhand rahega ye desh,” which translates to, “Both Ayodhya (home of the Ram Temple) and Mahakumbh (the ongoing religious gathering in Prayagraj) share the same message: unity will ensure the integrity of our nation.”

The slogan highlights Yogi Adityanath’s continuous emphasis on using cultural and religious symbols to promote national unity and integrity, leveraging platforms like the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 to reinforce his government’s message.

Major Decisions at Mahakumbh Cabinet Meeting

Earlier in the week, CM Yogi chaired a significant cabinet meeting at the Mahakumbh site in Prayagraj, a move that has garnered both praise and criticism. During the meeting, several key decisions aimed at the development of Uttar Pradesh were approved, underscoring the importance of Prayagraj as a cultural and political center for the state.

While details of the approved schemes have not been fully disclosed, sources indicate they include infrastructure development, welfare initiatives, and measures to enhance public services across the state. The symbolic choice of the Mahakumbh site for this meeting reflects the government’s attempt to integrate cultural heritage with administrative processes.

Yogi’s Vision for Ayodhya and Mahakumbh

CM Yogi Adityanath’s rally in Milkipur tied together two of the most significant cultural and religious icons of Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya, where the Ram Temple is nearing completion, and Mahakumbh, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings in Prayagraj. The Chief Minister’s slogan serves as a rallying cry for unity, highlighting how religious and cultural heritage can bring people together to ensure the nation’s progress and integrity.

While addressing the public, Yogi Adityanath took the opportunity to criticize the Samajwadi Party (SP) for what he called a lack of commitment to cultural values. He referred to the teachings of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, a prominent socialist thinker, saying, “Dr. Lohia believed that true socialists should not be entangled in material wealth, but today’s socialists have strayed far from his ideology.”

Samajwadi Party’s Criticism of Cabinet Meeting at Mahakumbh

The decision to hold a cabinet meeting at the Mahakumbh site has sparked a political war of words. Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), criticized the move, saying, “Kumbh or Prayagraj is not the place for political decision-making. Holding cabinet meetings there is purely political. Many of us have visited Kumbh for a holy dip, but we didn’t post photos or make it a political spectacle.”

Yadav’s remarks were seen as a direct dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the ruling party of politicizing cultural and religious events.

BJP Fires Back: The Politics of “Naach-Gana”

The BJP wasted no time in responding to Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called out what he described as the “dual standards” of the Samajwadi Party. Speaking to the media, Poonawalla said, “Those who organized ‘naach-gana’ (dance and entertainment events) in Saifai are now questioning why a cabinet meeting was held at Mahakumbh. This shows their hypocrisy. The BJP’s decision to hold the meeting at Mahakumbh reflects our commitment to integrating cultural and administrative priorities.”

Poonawalla’s comments referred to the SP’s annual cultural extravaganza in Saifai, often criticized by the BJP as extravagant and unnecessary.

Cultural and Religious Symbolism in Uttar Pradesh Politics

Under CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh has seen an increased focus on leveraging the state’s cultural and religious heritage for political messaging. The Ram Temple in Ayodhya and events like the Mahakumbh have become central to this strategy, with Yogi’s government promoting these platforms as symbols of unity, heritage, and progress.

By connecting Ayodhya and Mahakumbh with the idea of national unity, Yogi Adityanath seeks to appeal to a broad base of voters who resonate with the cultural and spiritual significance of these landmarks.

Mahakumbh Mela 2025: A Grand Showcase

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 has drawn millions of devotees from across the country, and the event serves as both a religious and cultural gathering. CM Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet members, including Deputy Chief Ministers, participated in a holy dip at the Sangam, emphasizing the government’s alignment with the spiritual sentiments of the people.

The Mahakumbh is not just a religious festival but also a platform for showcasing Uttar Pradesh’s development initiatives and cultural heritage on a global scale. The government’s efforts to manage such a massive event while promoting its vision of progress have been widely discussed.

The Political Landscape Ahead of Bypolls

The rally in Milkipur, coupled with the Mahakumbh cabinet meeting, comes at a critical time as Uttar Pradesh prepares for bypolls on February 5. The BJP is aiming to solidify its position by aligning its campaign with cultural and spiritual narratives, which have proven effective in the past.

CM Yogi’s message of “unity ensuring the country’s integrity” is designed to resonate with voters who value the state’s rich religious and cultural traditions.

Key Takeaways from Yogi Adityanath’s Rally

1. New Slogan for Unity: The slogan, linking Ayodhya and Mahakumbh, emphasizes how cultural and spiritual unity can ensure national integrity.
2. Strategic Use of Mahakumbh: The decision to hold a cabinet meeting at the Mahakumbh site highlights the BJP’s focus on integrating administrative actions with cultural heritage.
3. Countering Opposition: By invoking socialist ideologies and criticizing the SP’s past, Yogi Adityanath aims to position the BJP as the true custodian of Uttar Pradesh’s values.
4. Bypoll Strategy: The timing of the rally and cabinet meeting indicates the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its voter base in the lead-up to the elections.

CM Yogi Adityanath’s rally in Milkipur and the Mahakumbh cabinet meeting underline his government’s strategy of combining cultural heritage with governance to reinforce messages of unity and national integrity. By connecting Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and the Mahakumbh with the idea of a united India, Yogi has crafted a narrative that appeals to both spiritual and cultural sentiments.

As Uttar Pradesh heads towards bypolls, it remains to be seen how effectively this messaging translates into political gains for the BJP. However, one thing is clear: Yogi Adityanath is leaving no stone unturned in emphasizing the importance of unity through the state’s cultural icons.