Lucknow, December 14 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary has been elected as the Uttar Pradesh BJP president by unanimous decision, as announced by Union Minister Piyush Goyal. This announcement was met with enthusiastic applause at the party headquarters located in Lucknow.

“On this day, December 14, I am thrilled to share that Pankaj Chaudhary has been unanimously chosen as the Uttar Pradesh BJP president. It brings me immense joy to deliver this news,” Goyal stated while addressing the attendees.

Following this announcement, Chaudhary was honored by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with other senior leaders of the party. In a gesture of respect, Chaudhary touched the feet of the Chief Minister to seek blessings.

Chaudhary is a seasoned politician, having served as a seven-time Member of Parliament from UP's Mahrajganj constituency and was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Finance in the second cabinet under Modi.

His political career commenced at the grassroots level when he served as a Member of the Municipal Corporation in Gorakhpur from 1989 to 1991. He also held the role of Deputy Mayor of Gorakhpur during his tenure.

In 1990, Chaudhary joined the BJP and has since been recognized as a member of the Kurmi community, classified under the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Union Minister B.L. Verma expressed his congratulations, stating, “I extend my best wishes to Pankaj Chaudhary. The BJP operates on democratic principles, and decisions taken are embraced by all party members.”

Minister Kapil Dev Agrawal remarked that Chaudhary's appointment to this prominent state party position is “a matter of pride”. He noted, “Chaudhary, who began his journey as a councillor and has served as Deputy Mayor and a seven-time MP, indicates that the BJP's leadership made a wise choice. Under his guidance, the party will reach new heights in the state,” he told IANS.

BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar referred to Pankaj Chaudhary as a “highly regarded leader,” mentioning, “Typically, anti-incumbency sets in after a few victories, yet he has consistently won the Lok Sabha seat even in a challenging environment.”