Mahant Avaidyanath (28 May 1921 – 12 September 2014) was a Hindu leader and politician. He was the teacher and predecessor of Yogi Adityanath the present MP of Gorakhpur. He was also elected to Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur (Lok Sabha Constituency) for four times. He was the Mahant (chief priest) of Gorakhnath Temple. He played an important role in Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He was political Guru of incumbent Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath.

Career

Avaidyanath was elected MLA from Maniram Assembly segment five times – 1962, 1967, 1969, 1974 and 1977. He was elected Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur as an Independent candidate in 1970 and won again in 1989 as candidate of Hindu Mahasabha. He was elected MP from the same seat in 1991 and 1996 as Bharatiya Janata Party nominee.

Death

He died on 12 September 2014 in Gorakhpur. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi condoled the death of Mahant Avaidyanath, saying "he will be remembered for his patriotic zeal and determined efforts to serve society."

"Saddened over the demise of Mahant Avaidyanath ji. He will be remembered for his patriotic zeal and determined efforts to serve society," the Prime Minister said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and UP BJP president Laxmikant Bajpai also condoled his death.