Mahant Balaknath
Mahant Balaknath | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 3 December 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Sandeep Yadav |
| Constituency | Tijara |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 23 May 2019 – 7 December 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Karan Singh Yadav |
| Succeeded by | Bhupender Yadav |
| Constituency | Alwar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1984 |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Occupation | Politician, monk |
| Website | yogibalaknath |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Denomination | Shaivism |
| Temple | Baba Mastnath Math |
| Institute | Baba Mastnath University |
| School | Yoga |
| Lineage | Baba Mastnath |
| Sect | Nath Sampradaya |
| Ordination | 2016 |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Mahant Chandnath |
| Post | Mahant |
| Period in office | 2016–present |
| Predecessor | Mahant Chandnath |
Mahant Balaknath Yogi (born 16 April 1984), better known as Baba Balaknath, is an Indian politician and current MLA from Tijara constituency in Rajasthan.[1] He is Chancellor of the Baba Mastnath University (BMU), Rohtak, Haryana.[2] He is also 8th Mahant of the Nath sect of Hinduism.[3] On 29 July 2016, Mahant Chandnath declared Balaknath Yogi as his successor in a ceremony which was attended by Yogi Adityanath and Baba Ramdev.[4][5][6]
Early life
He was born in the village of Kohrana in Behror tehsil of Rajasthan, Balaknath Yogi’s roots are deeply embedded in Alwar.[7] Coming from an agricultural family, he took his first steps into sannyasa at the age of six-and-a-half, prompting him to leave home and seek solace in an ashram.[8] In childhood, Baba Khetnath gave him the new name Gurumukh.[9]
Political career
Mahant Balaknath Yogi's political foray was shaped by his Guru, Mahant Chandnath, a former Member of Parliament from Alwar. Following in his mentor's footsteps, Balaknath Yogi succeeded him as the head of the Baba Mastnath Mutt in Haryana. A key influencer in his political journey is also the support of yoga guru Baba Ramdev. As Balaknath Yogi traverses the campaign trail, a dedicated team from Mahendragarh in Haryana accompanies him, underlining the widespread backing he enjoys.[10]
Balaknath, emerging as a controversial figure in political circles, has gained attention for his provocative statements and unorthodox comparisons. In a widely circulated video, he drew a parallel between his political contest against Imran Khan and an India-Pakistan cricket match. Asserting that the battle extends beyond mere victory, Balaknath emphasised the significance of securing a favourable voting percentage. He expressed concerns about minority communities uniting against the Sanatan Dharma and highlighted the need to thwart such plans through electoral success.[11]
He was nominated as Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for Lok Sabha from Alwar, Rajasthan and he won the elections in 2019 by defeating Bhanwar Jitendra Singh of Indian National Congress by a margin of 3 Lakh votes.[12]
He resigned from the post of Lok Sabha MP on 7 December 2023 after winning from the Tijara constituency in the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Elections.[13]
See also
- Mahant Shreyonath sixth Mahant of the Nath sect.
- Mahant Chandnath seventh Mahant of the Nath sect.
References
- ^ Mishra, Ishita (3 December 2023). "BJP's Hindutva outreach plays out well with all four 'babas' winning in Rajasthan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ "The Beacons of Society" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Cong expects tough contest in pampered constituency". Hindustan Times. 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "महंत चांदनाथ ने तय किया अपना उत्तराधिकारी, मौजूद रहे बाबा रामदेव". अमर उजाला. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Baba Mast Nath Matth gets New Mahant". Tribuneindia News Service. tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Alwar MP dies, three CMs attend 'samadhi' ceremony". www.tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019.
- ^ "राजस्थान का योगी', कौन हैं महंत बालकनाथ, जो राजस्थान में BJP की बढ़त के साथ ही चर्चा में हैं". 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Rajasthan CM Candidate: Who Is Mahant Balak Nath Yogi, BJP's Probable Choice?". News18. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "महंत बालकनाथ ने 6 साल की उम्र में ही ले लिया था संन्यास, जानिए उनके संन्यासी बनने से लेकर राजनीति में कदम रखने की कहानी". Patrika News (in Hindi). 30 March 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Mahant Balak Nath Yogi: All you need to know about BJP candidate from Rajasthan's Tijara constituency". The Times of India. 3 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Mastnath Math Head Potential CM Candidate In Rajastgan". The Times of India.
- ^ "अलवर सीट पर भाजपा ने महंत बालकनाथ को बनाया प्रत्याशी, जानिए क्या है यहां का समीकरण". 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Election". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 7 December 2023.