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On Raksha Bandhan, Adityanath posed with children and, while getting them ready for the photograph, told them, “Bachcho idhar dekho.”
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Moneycontrol•29-08-2026, 12:11
Yogi Adityanath Embraces Gen Z: CM's Selfie Strategy for 2027 Elections
  • •Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is adopting a new public image, frequently taking selfies with young people, students, and beneficiaries, a shift from his traditional tough administrator persona.
  • •This new approach, widely circulated on social media, includes posing with schoolgirls on Raksha Bandhan, Japanese students, and newly appointed government employees.
  • •The strategy aims to connect with Gen Z voters, who primarily consume political information through social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
  • •The BJP recognizes the importance of the youth vote and is combining these personal interactions with policy initiatives like job creation and technology distribution (tablets) to appeal to younger demographics.
  • •While maintaining his core image as a strong administrator and Hindutva leader, Adityanath's selfie campaign adds a more relatable and informal dimension, positioning him as a leader among the people rather than just addressing them.

Key Questions Answered

Yogi Adityanath's new image, which includes taking selfies with young people and beneficiaries, could become an important part of the BJP's strategy to connect with a younger Uttar Pradesh electorate in the 2027 Assembly elections. Gen-Z voters, aged 14 to 29, constitute about 15% of the state's electorate, and a shift of just 3% to 5% of these voters could significantly impact the election results.

The Yogi Adityanath government is focusing on youth and Gen Z through initiatives related to employment, education, skill development, and opportunities for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. One specific program involves training approximately 10,000 "Gau Mitras" (friends of cows) in villages across the state to raise awareness about organic farming and the social and economic role of cattle in rural areas.