Yogi Adityanath sworn in as UP CM

Lucknow: Priest-turned politician and controversial mascot of hardline Hindutva, Yogi Adityanath was Sunday sworn in as the 21st chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and the fourth from the saffron party, ending its 15-year hiatus.

BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and party's national vice president Dinesh Sharma were sworn in as cabinet ministers by Governor Ram Naik at a grand ceremony at Kanshiram Smriti Upvan here.

They will assist 44-year-old Adityanath as as deputy chief ministers.

Interestingly, none of the three is a legislator in UP.

The five-term MP from Gorakhpur, who lacks administrative experience, was yesterday unanimously elected the BJP legislature party leader at a meeting of the newly elected MLAs, in a move that took many by surprise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah and party veteran L K Advani were present at the ceremony, which was also attended by outgoing chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Several BJP chief ministers also attended the function.

The elevation of Adityanath, who has chequered rapport with the BJP leadership, has left many puzzled, with political circles abuzz with talk of the RSS having prevailed over the party in deciding the chief minister.