UP polls 2017: Modi to visit ashram known for influence among Yadavs

In Varanasi’s three assembly segments, there are around one lakh Yadav voters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would on Monday visit an ashram here known for its influence among Yadavs. He will perform cow puja besides seeking blessings for its head Sadguru Sharananand. “I will not seek anything from him. Let us see what he seeks from us,” Sharananand told The Indian Express. The ashram is located on the banks of Ganga on eastern side of Varanasi and is called Saint Mat Anuyayi Math. It enjoys huge influence among Yadavs. The ashram has around 100 ashrams in India, Lahore (Pakistan) and Nepal under its umbrella. It runs Gau Shalas (cow shelters) for nearly 200 cows, a mahila ashram and some schools.

In Varanasi’s three assembly segments, there are around one lakh Yadav voters. They have traditionally voted for BJP, with some exceptions.

“In Varanasi city area, Yadavs have voting pattern opposite to other areas, where they have been staunch support base for SP,’’ said local BJP leader Ram Sunder Yadav. “Here in Varanasi city area, we have several leaders at local level in BJP and mostly Yadavs here vote for BJP.” .

Shyamlal Yadav

Shyamlal Yadav is one of the pioneers of the effective use of RTI for investigative reporting. He is a member of the Investigative Team. His reporting on polluted rivers, foreign travel of public servants, MPs appointing relatives as assistants, fake journals, LIC’s lapsed policies, Honorary doctorates conferred to politicians and officials, Bank officials putting their own money into Jan Dhan accounts and more has made a huge impact. He is member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). He has been part of global investigations like Paradise Papers, Fincen Files, Pandora Papers, Uber Files and Hidden Treasures. After his investigation in March 2023 the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York returned 16 antiquities to India. Besides investigative work, he keeps writing on social and political issues. ... Read More