The Yogi Adityanath effect: How an impressive strike rate makes UP CM a campaign hero in Bihar polls

In the high-voltage Bihar Assembly election, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emerged as one of the most visible and in-demand campaigners for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In a span of just ten days, Yogi addressed 30 rallies and held one roadshow, covering 43 constituencies across the state. His campaign began on October 16, marking one of the most aggressive schedules among all chief ministers involved in the election.

Yogi’s rallies drew massive crowds, with people cheering him from rooftops, walls, and even trees. His image as “Bulldozer Baba” — a symbol of tough governance and zero tolerance against crime — resonated strongly among Bihar voters. From Darbhanga to Gaya, his campaign stops were marked by chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bulldozer Baba Zindabad,” underlining his popularity beyond Uttar Pradesh.

Political observers believe Yogi’s growing influence in Bihar politics is rooted in his governance record. “Yogi Adityanath’s tough-on-crime image and his visible development work in Uttar Pradesh have made him a figure of aspiration for voters in neighboring Bihar,” said Jamaui -based political analyst Binay Kumar. “For the NDA, his presence balances the local appeal of leaders like Nitish Kumar and the national charisma of Prime Minister Modi.”

Kumar believes Yogi’s speeches help the BJP consolidate and energize its saffron vote bank with minimal effort. His rallies naturally attract massive crowds, and his ability to connect with the grassroots ensures high turnout without extensive mobilization.

During his campaign, Yogi targeted the Congress-RJD alliance, accusing them of pushing Bihar into “jungle raj” marked by corruption and crime. “Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are bound by culture and emotion. But while UP has moved toward good governance, Bihar suffered under corruption and misrule whenever Congress and RJD were in power,” Yogi said at a rally in Samastipur.

He also sought to connect the governance models of both states, highlighting infrastructure growth, welfare schemes, and law enforcement as examples of “double-engine government” success. “People in Bihar look at how Yogi transformed UP’s law-and-order situation. His bulldozer symbolism is now a metaphor for strong governance across northern India,” said senior political commentator Nirmal Thakur.

Yogi’s emergence as a key campaigner in Bihar is part of a broader pattern visible across recent state elections. In Madhya Pradesh, where he campaigned extensively in 2023, his strike rate was among the highest for the BJP’s star campaigners. Out of 22 constituencies where he addressed rallies, the party won 17 — a success rate of nearly 77 percent. In Maharashtra, too, during assembly election, his fiery Hindutva rhetoric and anti-crime stance helped consolidate urban and semi-urban Hindu votes in constituencies where BJP-Shiv Sena faced tough fights. His appeal among youth and first-time voters was especially noted in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. Records claim that Yogi addressed rallies in support of 24 candidates, out of which 22 secured victory in Maharashtra.

Analysts say this consistent record has made Yogi one of the BJP’s most dependable campaigners outside Uttar Pradesh. “Unlike many regional leaders, Yogi’s brand has national resonance. He speaks the language of governance, development, and decisive leadership, which the BJP uses effectively in all states,” said Lucknow-based analyst Ramesh Dixit.

As Bihar votes, the saffron-clad monk-politician’s message of governance over appeasement and development over dynasty politics appears to have struck a chord — reaffirming his role as one of the BJP’s most potent and reliable campaigners beyond Uttar Pradesh.