Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – In a strategic move ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, Pankaj Chaudhary, a seven-time Member of Parliament and prominent leader from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), has been elected unopposed as the president of the Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The announcement was made on Saturday, December 13, 2025, by Union Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who oversaw the party's organizational election. The official announcement was made during a ceremony marked by traditional rituals. Outgoing state president Chaudhary Bhupendra formally handed over the party flag, marking the leadership transition.
Chaudhary's election is seen as a calculated step by the BJP to consolidate its support among the Kurmi community and the broader OBC population, aiming to reshape caste equations and counter the influence of the Samajwadi Party in the crucial state contest. The BJP is banking on Chaudhary's Kurmi background to court the Other Backward Classes.
Pankaj Chaudhary, aged 59, brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as a Member of Parliament for seven terms. He also serves as the Union Minister of State for Finance. His extensive political career and deep understanding of the state's dynamics are expected to provide strong leadership to the party in the run-up to the 2027 elections. Chaudhary is the 15th state president of the BJP and fourth Kurmi leader to lead BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and outgoing state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary were among those who nominated Pankaj Chaudhary. The announcement was made in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and other leaders.
Following his election, Chaudhary expressed his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him by the party. "I will follow the instructions of my party leaders and fulfil whatever task is assigned to me," Chaudhary stated.
Pankaj Chaudhary's political career has seen significant growth in his personal assets. According to his election affidavit, his assets grew from ₹1.41 crore in 2004 to ₹41.9 crore in 2024.
