UP Politics Heats Up as ‘Kharmaas’ Ends: Yogi Adityanath Launches Sharp Attack on Opposition over Love Jihad, Demography and ‘Kaalnemi’ Remark

Lucknow: With the end of Kharmaas, Uttar Pradesh politics has clearly shifted into election mode, and the temperature is rising rapidly. As preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections begin to take shape, religion, identity and development have once again emerged as the central themes of political confrontation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appears to be setting the tone early, positioning the BJP on a familiar yet sharpened pitch. His slogan “Ek rahenge to safe rahenge” is gaining traction, while the government is simultaneously pushing development projects to strengthen its governance narrative.

Opposition Looks for an Opening

The opposition, wary of BJP’s attempt to consolidate religious sentiment, is trying to carve out space by amplifying the controversy involving Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. The dispute dates back to the Prayagraj Magh Mela, where the Shankaracharya was allegedly stopped from proceeding to the Sangam Nose in a palanquin on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

Opposition parties have seized on the issue, accusing the Yogi government of disrespecting religious traditions and spiritual leadership. Swami Avimukteshwaranand himself has directly targeted the Chief Minister, even suggesting that the Sanatan community should distance itself from the BJP.

Given the stature of a Shankaracharya as one of the highest religious authorities in Hinduism, the controversy has become politically sensitive. While some sections of the saint community have supported the Shankaracharya, others have expressed displeasure over his sharp criticism of CM Yogi.

BJP Focused on 2027 Strategy

Yogi Adityanath led the BJP to a historic second consecutive term in 2022—something no UP government had achieved in over three decades. His tenure has been marked by a tough law-and-order stance, the much-publicized ‘bulldozer model’, and a push to transform UP into an expressway state.

However, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections sent a warning signal. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA (Backward–Dalit–Minority) politics managed to limit the BJP to 33 seats in UP, emboldening the opposition ahead of 2027.

Despite this, neither the Samajwadi Party nor the Congress has been able to project a single, compelling issue capable of decisively cornering the Yogi government. Past narratives have fallen short of delivering electoral momentum, prompting renewed efforts to create divisions within the Hindu vote base.

Sonipat Speech Sends a Strong Signal

From a public platform in Sonipat, CM Yogi delivered a strong political message. Without naming anyone, he warned against those trying to divide Sanatan society, calling them “Kaalnemi”—a reference widely seen as linked to the ongoing Shankaracharya controversy.

The remarks triggered sharp reactions, with the Congress and the SP accusing the BJP of insulting a revered religious figure. Yogi, however, adopted an aggressive posture, asserting that attempts to fragment Sanatan unity would not be allowed to succeed.

Love Jihad and Demographic Change Back in Focus

Escalating the rhetoric further, CM Yogi raised the issues of love jihad and demographic change, signaling a return to core ideological themes.

He stated that his government would take strict action against love jihad, work to protect daughters, and raise awareness among families. “We will not allow conspiracies aimed at changing demography to succeed,” he said.

Following these statements, political observers are questioning whether the opposition will engage on these issues or restrict itself to the Shankaracharya controversy alone. There is also speculation about whether topics like cow protection—often raised by saints critical of the government—will gain traction in opposition discourse.

Political Battle Lines Drawn

With CM Yogi’s aggressive stance and the opposition’s attempts to exploit religious controversies, UP politics has clearly entered a decisive phase. As 2027 approaches, the state is set to witness an intense contest where religion, identity, development and governance will once again collide at the ballot box.