The Monk Who Became Chief Minister

2017 book by Shantanu Gupta

The Monk Who Became Chief Minister

Biography's Cover

Author| Shantanu Gupta
Language| English
Genre| Biography
Publisher| Bloomsbury Publishing  (India)[1]

Publication date

| 25 August 2017
Publication place| India
Media type| E-book, Print (Paperback)
Pages| 164 pp.
ISBN| 9789386606426

The Monk Who Became Chief Minister : The Definitive Biography Of Yogi Adityanath is a biography of Yogi Adityanath, the 22nd Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.[2] It is written by Shantanu Gupta, an Indian author and political analyst. The book has been published by Bloomsbury Publishing, India and came out on 25 August 2017. The cover of the biography was released on 23 July 2017 at an event of CREDAI at Lucknow.[3][4][5]

## Summary

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The biography has four sections. The first section is about the current role of Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and his first days in office. The second section discusses his tenure as parliamentarian from the Gorakhpur constituency. It elaborates on his electoral victories, interventions in parliament, controversial speeches, and his thoughts on Love Jihad, religious conversion, Hindu Yuva Vahini, and his relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party.[6] The third sections discusses Yogi's life as mahant of Gorakhpur mutt and his yogic routine. Section also talks about the gurus of nath panth and socio-political activities of mutt over decades.[7][8][9] The last section discusses Adityanath's youth and his upbringing as Ajay Mohan Bisht in the hinterlands of Pauri, Uttarakhand among cows, farms and mountains. [6][10]

## Reception

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In August 2017, Hindustan Times categorised book in the five books of August reading list.[11]

Nistula Hebbar, writing for The Hindu, found the book full of "interesting vignettes" about Yogi Adityanath.[10] She noted that rise of Yogi Adityanath to prominence raised curiosity about him which this book may go some way in fulfilling.[10]

Talha Ashraf reviewed work for ThePrint.[12] He noted that author gives a detailed account of Adityanath's record as parliamentarian and administrator against his firebrand image.[12] In addition, he wrote that "it [book] praises him for injecting discipline into Lucknow’s bureaucracy, waiving farm loans and cracking down on crime."[12] According to Ashraf, book loses steam when it comes to "so-called Love Jihad" issue.[12] In his observation, book starts on promising note but fails to give an objective portrayal of leader.[12]

## References

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1. ^ "The Monk Who Became Chief Minister". Bloomsburys. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
2. ^ "#Brunchreads: Five books that should be on your August reading list". HT Media. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
3. ^ "'Home buyers not getting timely possession has led to drop in credibility'". Indian Express. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
4. ^ "Builders should get back trust of people: UP CM". United News of India. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
5. ^ "Builders need to get back trust of people: CM". The Pioneer. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
6. ^ a b "Ascetic and warrior: The book on Yogi Adityanath is an exercise in veneration". ThePrint. ThePrint. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
7. ^ "'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister' Explores Yogi Adityanath's journey". India WebPortal Private Limited. IANS. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
8. ^ "The Monk Who Became Chief Minister : The journey of Yogi Adityanath". theweek. IANS. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
9. ^ "'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister' Explores Yogi Adityanath's journey". Business Standard. IANS. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
10. ^ a b c "Yogi Adityanath could've been in the political Left, claims new biography". The Hindu. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
11. ^ "#Brunchreads: Five books that should be on your August reading list". Hindustan Times. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
12. ^ a b c d e Ashraf affan ali khan, Talha (17 August 2017). "Ascetic and warrior: The book on Yogi Adityanath is an exercise in veneration". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 March 2020.

## External links

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* Official website