In preparation for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expanded his Council of Ministers by inducting six new ministers and promoting two Ministers of State. The oath-taking ceremony was conducted by Governor Anandiben Patel at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, a former Uttar Pradesh BJP president, was the first to be sworn in as a Cabinet minister, followed by Manoj Pandey, a prominent Brahmin leader who recently joined the BJP.
The newly inducted ministers also include Surendra Diler, Krishna Paswan, Hansraj Vishwakarma, and Kailash Rajput. Additionally, Ministers of State Ajit Pal and Somendra Tomar were elevated, emphasizing the BJP’s aim to maintain a balance in administration and regional representation. Krishna Paswan, speaking after taking the oath, expressed commitment to the state’s development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
This Cabinet reshuffle is seen as part of the BJP’s strategic planning for the upcoming Assembly polls. Among the new ministers, one is from the Brahmin community, three are from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and two are Dalit leaders. Analysts suggest that the inclusion of Manoj Pandey aims to strengthen the BJP’s connection with Brahmins, while Bhupendra Chaudhary’s induction is expected to enhance support among Jat voters in western Uttar Pradesh.
The expansion of the Cabinet is interpreted as an effort by the BJP leadership to ensure social diversity, regional inclusivity, and coalition coordination before the crucial 2027 elections. Notably, the previous expansion of the Yogi Adityanath government occurred on March 5, 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, where four new ministers were inducted. With the recent appointments, the Yogi Cabinet now has a full strength of 60 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
