Yogi also on test in polls

Creating a record of sorts by addressing over 70 election rallies in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh Assembly polls and emerging as one of the most sought-after speakers after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the results would also be a test for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The saffron-clad chief minister addressed as many as 74 rallies in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, fiercely espousing the 'Hindutva' while courting controversy.

"The results of the three Hindi-speaking states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh will also test Adityanath... he has campaigned vigorously in these states... a BJP success in these states will firmly establish Adityanath as a Hindutva icon and enhance his stature within the saffron party," said a senior state BJP leader, while speaking to DH here, on Monday.

The leader said no other BJP chief minister had addressed as many rallies as Adityanath in Assembly polls outside his own state.

According to BJP leaders here, Adityanath addressed 23 rallies in Chattisgarh, 17 in Madhya Pradesh and 26 in Rajasthan.

He had also addressed a rally in Telangana. There was a large number of followers from the 'Nath' sect to which Adityanath belonged in the Rajasthan districts of Alwar, Churu, Sikar and Jaipur.

Adityanath also courted controversy with his remarks like the 'Ali and Bajarang Bali' one and also for terming Lord Hanuman (monkey god) a "Dalit". He had also said that Hyderabad would be rechristened as "Bhagya Nagar" if BJP is voted to power in Telangana.

The results of the Assembly polls will be declared on Tuesday.