New Delhi: Nearly 11 years after Narendra Modi’s rise to national prominence in 2014, when the “Gujarat Model” dominated political discourse, the BJP is increasingly promoting a new template for governance: the “Yogi Model,” inspired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. While the Gujarat Model emphasized industrial growth, infrastructure, and investment, the Yogi Model focuses on law and order, strict administration, and immediate results, resonating strongly with public expectations for safety and accountability.
Since taking office in 2017, Yogi Adityanath has redefined governance in Uttar Pradesh by making law and order a prerequisite for development. The bulldozer has emerged as a symbolic instrument of action against crime, illegal construction, and mafia operations, earning Yogi the nickname “Bulldozer Baba.” Unlike the Gujarat Model, which centered on abstract notions of development, the Yogi Model provides tangible, visible outcomes—demolished illegal structures, arrests of criminals, and swift police action—which the public perceives as real justice on the ground.
The BJP has integrated this model into its national election strategy. States such as Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana have seen party leaders invoke Yogi’s image as a “one-man army” in campaigns. His slogans—“The bulldozer will move” and “Mafia-free state”—have become common, projecting a leader unafraid to act decisively and impartially. The influence of the Yogi Model is not confined to northern India; northeastern states like Assam and Manipur, as well as Maharashtra under the Eknath Shinde government, have cited “Yogi-style” actions against crime and illegal construction. From Delhi to Karnataka, similar enforcement strategies signal that Yogi Adityanath’s model of administrative strictness has become a blueprint for BJP governance nationally.
A key strength of the Yogi Model lies in its alignment with public sentiment. Citizens frustrated with corruption and crime see tough action as real justice, contrasting with abstract promises of development. Economic indicators show that Uttar Pradesh has also benefited—attracting significant investment at the Global Investors’ Meet demonstrates that a strict law-and-order environment can coexist with industrial growth. Prime Minister Modi has publicly praised Yogi’s governance style, highlighting how administrative discipline can redefine good governance.
Politically, the model offers the BJP a distinct advantage, framing development and crime control as complementary rather than separate issues. While opposition parties focus on unemployment or inflation, the BJP points to Yogi’s law-and-order initiatives as the foundation for sustainable development. Yogi Adityanath has thus emerged as the party’s most popular leader after Modi, symbolizing both effective administration and the party’s ideological strength.
The Yogi Model’s influence extends beyond India. Analysts in Nepal and Sri Lanka have cited it as a potential template for addressing corruption and crime, and discussions on social media in Bangladesh have highlighted the “bulldozer approach” as an example of decisive governance. Critics caution that legal processes must underpin such actions, but supporters argue that the model restores public trust, instills fear among criminals, and demonstrates that governance can deliver immediate, visible results.
Within the BJP, discussions continue on how to scale the Yogi Model nationally. Already, central policies show traces of Yogi-style governance, combining welfare with strict enforcement. The Modi-Yogi combination offers the party both an international image and a visible, ground-level governance narrative. As BJP campaigns expand to new states, Yogi Adityanath’s speeches and slogans remain a central draw, energizing crowds and reinforcing the perception of a fearless, law-and-order-oriented leader. The Yogi Model has thus evolved from a regional governance style into a national political ideology, fusing security and good governance into a coherent, influential framework.
