Why the HYV matters in UP politics

Once a source of Chief Minister Adityanath's clout, the Hindu Yuva Vahini is like a thorn in his side now

The first compromise people noticed was the food.

Yogi Adityanath is a mahant, a holy man. He is prohibited, for pollution-purity reasons, from eating just anywhere. As MP, he would be invited by voters and constituents for meals and his supporters would warn them in advance: “Maharajji khana nahin khayenge…”. He might have a piece of fruit or a nut or two, but nothing more.

Now, along with party President Amit Shah, the mahant of the Gorakhnath temple is eating everywhere: You can see him squatting and eating with Yadavs, Dalits… Unthinkable in the past. But he has to. His