Lucknow: In a key organisational move ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary as the new president of its Uttar Pradesh unit. The announcement marks a significant leadership transition in the country’s most politically crucial state.
The formal declaration was made by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who served as the Central Election Officer for the process, in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and senior party leaders.
Unopposed Election Reflects Strong Consensus
Pankaj Chaudhary emerged as the sole candidate for the post after filing his nomination on Saturday. His papers were submitted to former Union Minister and BJP state election officer Mahendra Nath Pandey, along with central observer Vinod Tawde.
The nomination filing witnessed the presence of top state leadership, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both deputy chief ministers, and Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, underlining the party’s united support for Chaudhary’s elevation.
Following the official announcement, outgoing state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary symbolically handed over the party flag to his successor, marking a smooth and orderly transition of leadership.
Who Is Pankaj Chaudhary?
Seven-Time MP with Strong Grassroots Connect
Pankaj Chaudhary is a seven-time Lok Sabha MP from the Maharajganj constituency. Belonging to the Kurmi community, categorised under the Other Backward Classes (OBC), he is seen as a leader with deep grassroots reach and organisational experience.
Party insiders describe him as a trusted confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, a factor that strengthens his political standing within the BJP.
BJP Leaders Express Confidence in New Leadership
Senior BJP leaders welcomed Chaudhary’s appointment, expressing confidence that the party would scale new heights under his leadership.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya termed the 2027 Assembly elections as the party’s next major challenge and said the BJP would secure a decisive mandate under Chaudhary’s guidance. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also congratulated the new state president, calling his election a strong organisational step.
Cabinet Minister Dara Singh Chauhan said the BJP would achieve fresh milestones under Chaudhary’s leadership, while MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan thanked the party’s national leadership for the decision and predicted a full majority for the BJP in 2027.
Senior leader Dinesh Pratap Singh described Chaudhary as fully capable of providing strong and decisive leadership, praising the central leadership for placing its trust in him.
Strategic Importance Ahead of 2027 Polls
Uttar Pradesh remains central to the BJP’s national political strategy. With Assembly elections scheduled in 2027, Chaudhary’s appointment is widely viewed as a calculated move to strengthen organisational cohesion, expand social outreach, and consolidate the party’s voter base.
Political observers believe his OBC background, parliamentary experience, and proximity to the party’s top leadership could play a crucial role in shaping BJP’s campaign narrative in the coming years.