Pankaj Chaudhary’s elevation as the new BJP state president in Uttar Pradesh marks a politically important shift for the party, especially with the panchayat elections approaching and the 2027 Assembly polls already shaping the state’s political landscape. His unopposed nomination, finalised on Saturday, reflects a clear consensus within both the state and central leadership. The formal declaration is expected on Sunday, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal set to make the announcement.
Chaudhary will replace Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, and his selection carries the full endorsement of the party’s top brass. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposed his name, while Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak backed the choice, alongside several senior leaders, including Smriti Irani and Swatantra Dev Singh. The seamless nomination process signals internal unity and a strategic decision by the BJP leadership.
A seven-time MP from Maharajganj, Pankaj Chaudhary belongs to the Kurmi community, a prominent OBC group with considerable electoral weight in Uttar Pradesh. His rise comes at a time when segments of the Kurmi vote have drifted towards the Samajwadi Party in recent elections, making his appointment a deliberate effort to consolidate OBC support ahead of crucial polls. Politically, he is seen as a trusted figure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, further strengthening his organisational influence.
Chaudhary’s appointment also fits into the BJP’s broader strategy of balancing caste representation, as he becomes the fourth leader from the Kurmi community to head the party in Uttar Pradesh. With local body elections and the high-stakes 2027 Assembly contest on the horizon, the party is positioning him as a pivotal organisational anchor to manage cadre mobilisation, correct electoral slippages and re-engage key voter groups.
