Following the appointment of Pankaj Chaudhary as the new Uttar Pradesh BJP president, the party is expected to move ahead with the long-pending expansion of the state council of ministers as well as organisational changes. According to party sources, these developments are likely to take place after Makar Sankranti, on January 14–15, 2026.
In addition, the process of making political appointments to various commissions, boards and councils is expected to begin shortly, people familiar with the matter said.
Among the likely contenders for a ministerial berth is Rampur Sadar MLA Akash Saxena, who won the seat in a December 2022 bypoll by defeating Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s nominee, Asim Raza. Saxena became the first Hindu to be elected from the Rampur Sadar assembly constituency, which has a Muslim voter population of over 50 per cent. The bypoll was held after Azam Khan was sentenced to three years in prison in a hate speech case and subsequently disqualified as an MLA.
Speculation around Saxena’s elevation has grown following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent attendance at his daughter’s wedding in New Delhi.
The reshuffle is also expected to see the return of Bhupendra Chaudhary—who recently stepped down as state BJP chief—to the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. Before taking charge as the party’s state president, Chaudhary had served as the panchayati raj minister. Mant MLA Rajesh Chaudhary is also said to be in the race for a ministerial position.
“Any change in the state cabinet will factor in the panchayat elections due early next year and the 2027 assembly elections,” a BJP leader said.
The party’s organisational setup is also set for a revamp, barring the key post of state general secretary (organisation), a senior leader said. At present, the Uttar Pradesh BJP has 18 vice presidents, seven general secretaries, 16 state secretaries and one treasurer.
Changes are also likely among the six regional presidents and the heads of various party wings (morchas). Leaders who have held organisational posts for several years may be assigned new responsibilities, while fresh faces are expected to be inducted under the leadership of the new state president.
