Yogi leads UP BJP in welcoming Nitin Nabin

Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath led a show of strength on Saturday as he welcomed BJP president Nitin Nabin on his maiden visit to Uttar Pradesh, underlining both the state’s centrality to the party’s national politics and Yogi’s continuing stature as its foremost mass leader in UP.The CM received Nabin at the airport with a bouquet and a saffron angavastram before introducing him to ministers, MPs and party office-bearers.“Heartfelt welcome and greetings to BJP national president Nitin Nabin in Uttar Pradesh, the land of culture, values and creative pursuit, sanctified by the sacred footsteps of Prabhu Shri Ram and Leeladhari Bhagwan Shri Krishna,” the CM posted on X.Among those present at the airport were state BJP president

Pankaj Chaudhary

, deputy CMs

Keshav Prasad Maurya

and Brajesh Pathak, Union minister Kamlesh Paswan, state ministers, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MPs Dinesh Sharma, Sanjay Seth and Brij Lal, and Lucknow mayor Sushma Kharkwal.Speaking to media, Nabin described UP as the karmabhoomi of several senior BJP leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said the enthusiasm among workers reflected their confidence that the BJP would return to power in the state for a third consecutive term and stressed the need to keep the cadre motivated and energised.The BJP chief later embarked on a 15-km roadshow from the airport to the party’s state headquarters on Vidhan Sabha Marg.

Chaudhary accompanied him on a specially designed campaign chariot.The route was lined with thousands of workers, banners and posters, with arrangements made for welcome at more than 40 points. Flowers were showered from specially erected stages, while a crane was used to place a giant garland over the cavalcade. At several points, Nabin acknowledged supporters by waving from the vehicle.Members of various communities and groups including Gautam, Kayastha, Pal, Rajbhar, Lodhi, Yadav, Brahmin, Marathi, Vaishya, Sindhi, Sahu, traders, lawyers, Sikh and Punjabi, Bengali, Kshatriya, Sonkar, Bhojpuri, Patel-Maurya-Kushwaha, Valmiki, Pasi, and Nishad welcomed Nabin in ways that reflected their respective community traditions and identities.Representatives from these communities honored the BJP chief by presenting him with symbols representing their respective groups.UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary, who accompanied Nitin Nabin in the roadshow, posted on X that “people of Uttar Pradesh and energetic party workers welcomed the national president with great enthusiasm and warmth at various points.”In another post, Chaudhary said that BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh was also accorded a grand welcome at Lucknow airport.

“Your energetic presence and able guidance always provide the organisation with a new direction and strength,” he added.Nabin’s visit comes days after the announcement of the new UP BJP organisational team. By mobilising ministers, MPs, MLAs and a large cadre turnout, the party has sought to send out a message of unity and coordination between govt and organisation under the new leadership.Party sources said the roadshow was more than a ceremonial welcome. It showcased BJP’s grassroots mobilisation capacity, organisational discipline and worker morale ahead of upcoming elelctions.