UP BJP Set to Bring New Faces Ahead of Assembly Elections, Focus on Regional and Caste Balance

Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh is preparing for significant organizational changes as the state gears up for the 2027 Assembly elections. Party leadership is focusing on maintaining regional and caste balance while inducting new faces into the state unit.

The new state executive is expected to see fresh members, with the leadership reviewing lists of existing office-bearers who have served in the state unit for a long time. Separate lists are also being prepared for those who are current MPs, MLAs, or MLCs, as the party may replace some with new leaders on a “one person, one post” basis.

Deliberations on the Executive
After a prolonged selection process, Pankaj Chaudhary was appointed as the UP BJP state president on December 14. Since then, he has toured all regions of the state, meeting with both state and regional office-bearers. Following the election of the BJP’s national president, meetings regarding the new state executive have intensified. During his recent visit to Lucknow, Home Minister Amit Shah also discussed the formation of the executive with the leadership.

Currently, Pankaj Chaudhary and State General Secretary (Organization) Dharmapal Singh, in consultation with the central leadership, are finalizing the new executive. Sources indicate that the aim is to give maximum opportunities to new leaders.

Veteran Leaders Under Review
The party is reviewing lists of long-serving office-bearers to make space for new talent. Leaders who have contributed significantly to the organization may be included in the new state executive. However, those who have also held positions as MPs, MLAs, or MLCs are being considered for replacement.

Notable long-serving leaders under review include:

• Santosh Singh – five-time minister, two-time vice-president, current MLC and in charge of the Braj region.
• Vijay Bahadur Pathak – two-time general secretary, two-time vice-president, former media in-charge and spokesperson.
• Amar Pal Maurya – two-time minister, two-time general secretary, later sent to Rajya Sabha after losing Rae Bareli elections.
• Govind Narayan Shukla – served as general secretary under three presidents and former state minister, currently an MLC.
• Pankaj Singh, Anup Gupta, Salil Vishnoi, Kanta Kardam – all long-serving office-bearers with various ministerial and organizational roles.

Balancing Caste and Regional Representation
The party is keen to ensure both caste and regional balance in the state executive. Discussions indicate that more representation will be given to SC and OBC communities. With most senior leaders from eastern UP, efforts are underway to increase representation from western UP. The new executive at both state and district levels will also focus on strengthening women leadership.