Was surprised when asked to take over as CM, says Yogi Adityanath

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday that he was surprised when he was asked to take over as CM just a day before the swearing-in of the UP cabinet. He took oath on March 19.

“BJP president Amit Shah told me that I have to rush to UP. I told him that I have come from UP just now,” Yogi told the Yog Mahotsav 2017 organised by Ramdev’s Patanjali Yog Mission and other outfits.

“It was only then Shah revealed that I have to take pledge as UP CM the following day,” said Yogi, adding that he was confused as he had only one pair of clothes with him.


“If I had rejected the proposal, I would have been seen as running away from responsibility. So I agreed. If a yogi wears even a loin cloth and strolls on the streets, he would be seen as one who is used to it,” he said.

"I know UP well. I have travelled from the streets of UP to Parliament and asked for bhiksha in temples and maths. I am aware of the diseases plaguing UP," Yogi said, adding that the state would follow the path shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yogi said he learnt how to remain positive from Modi.