Pankaj Chaudhary: 7-Time MP from Kurmi Community Set to Lead BJP in Uttar Pradesh

Pankaj Chaudhary, who belongs to the influential Kurmi community, is expected to be appointed as the Uttar Pradesh BJP unit chief, according to sources.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to name Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary as its new Uttar Pradesh unit president during a major ceremony in Lucknow on Sunday. Officials have confirmed that Chaudhary will submit his nomination papers today.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who oversees UP organizational elections, and National General Secretary Vinod Tawde are scheduled to attend the significant event.

As a seven-term Member of Parliament representing Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj constituency, Chaudhary has established himself as a seasoned political figure. He comes from a family with political ties, as his mother Ujjwal Chaudhary previously served as the Maharajganj District Panchayat President. His educational background includes graduation from Gorakhpur University.

Chaudhary's political journey began at the grassroots level when he served as a Member of the Municipal Corporation in Gorakhpur from 1989 to 1991. During this period, he held the position of Deputy Mayor for one year before later being appointed as Gorakhpur's Deputy Mayor. He formally joined the BJP in 1990.

In recognition of his political acumen, Chaudhary was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Finance in Prime Minister Modi's second cabinet.

His appointment carries significant caste implications as Chaudhary represents the Kurmi community, which is classified under Other Backward Classes (OBC). Kurmis constitute the second-largest group among OBC voters in Uttar Pradesh, following the Yadavs. Comprising approximately eight to ten percent of voters, Kurmis influence between 30 to 40 electoral seats across the state, particularly in the Terai, Kashi, Gorakhpur, Awadh, and Rohilkhand regions.

Following Santosh Gangwar's appointment as Governor, Chaudhary emerged as a prominent Kurmi leader within the BJP. The party has also been cultivating support from Kurmi voters through its alliance with Anupriya Patel's Apna Dal (Sonelal).

The BJP's strategic decision to appoint an OBC leader as state president appears to be preparation for the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections, with the goal of consolidating non-Yadav votes.

According to sources, a Cabinet reshuffle is anticipated following Chaudhary's appointment to maintain regional balance. The BJP is likely to increase representation from central UP in this process.

The outgoing state vice-president Bhupendra Chaudhary may regain a position in the Cabinet. Additionally, BJP leader Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti is expected to receive significant responsibilities. Sources suggest that some ministers might be removed based on performance evaluations.