Seven-time Lok Sabha MP from UP's Maharajganj constituency, Pankaj Chowdhary, became BJP's UP unit President. He belongs to Kurmi community, categorised under Other Backward Classes (OBC). Chaudhary is believed to be a close confidant of PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. His name for UP BJP President's post was proposed by CM Yogi Adityanath.