How Ajay Singh Bisht became Yogi Adityanath: 10 lesser-known facts about UP CM and his incredible journey

Lucknow: Ending the suspense exactly a week after BJP won a three- fourths majority in the key Hindi heartland state and stormed back to power after 15 years, the 44-year-old five-term MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath was unanimously elected the BJP legislature party leader at a meeting of the newly elected MLAs.

Firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath took oath as UP CM on Sunday in Lucknow where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah were present. 

Here are some lesser-known facts about priest-turned politician Yogi Adityanath:- 

1- Yogi Adityanath was born on June 5, 1972 in Uttarakhand to Rajput parents

2- Yogi Adityanath's real name is Ajay Singh Bisht 

3- Yogi has a BSc degree in Maths 

4- In 1998, when he was just 26, Yogi Adityanath became the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha

5- He runs several schools, colleges and also manages a hospital. 

6- At the age of 21 he became a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath, then the head priest of Gorakhnath Math. 

7- Adityanath trained as a sanyasi, protecting cows and learning Hindu texts

8- In less than five years, Yogi became Mahant Avaidyanath’s favourite disciple

9- Yogi entered politics in 1996 when he was named in-charge of managing the election campaign for Mahant Avaidyanath. 

10- In 1998, when Avaidyanath retired from active politics, he declared Yogi as his heir apparent, and also the nominee for the next Lok Sabha polls.

And, this is how Ajay Singh Bisht became Yogi Adityanath!