In a display of political fervor, Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Pankaj Chaudhary made his first visit to his native city Gorakhpur on Monday since assuming the state party's top post last month. The visit was marked by an enthusiastic reception from party workers and set the stage for the party's roadmap ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly polls.
A Rousing Homecoming for the State Chief
The seven-time MP from Maharajganj was greeted with fanfare upon his arrival at the Gorakhpur airport. Party supporters danced to drum beats and waved traditional maces as his convoy moved through the city. Chaudhary, standing in an open vehicle, acknowledged the crowds before his first stop at the Mohaddipur Gurdwara to pay obeisance. The cavalcade then proceeded to Gorakhpur University, where he was welcomed with garlands.
Addressing a felicitation ceremony and a regional meeting at the BJP office later, an emotional Chaudhary expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming affection. He recounted his political journey starting from being elected as a corporator in Gorakhpur in 1989 and then as deputy mayor in 1990. "I have no words to express my gratitude for this love," he stated, emphasizing that the party workers were his strength and the organization his identity.
2027 Mission: Strengthening Booths for a Third Term
Chaudhary laid out his immediate priorities, stressing that the prime responsibility is to strengthen the party organization at the booth level. He called upon workers to work with a firm resolve to ensure the BJP forms its third consecutive government in Uttar Pradesh in the 2027 state elections.
"The interests of party workers will remain paramount to me," Chaudhary reiterated, asking the cadre to ensure an even bigger victory for the party. He linked the state's future directly to the national vision, asserting, "A strong and prosperous Uttar Pradesh is necessary to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India. And this is possible only under a BJP government."
Praising Leadership, Outlining Vision
In his speech, Chaudhary highlighted the transformative leadership at both the central and state levels. He contrasted India's global standing, noting that while there was a time when no one listened to the country, today, under PM Modi's leadership, the world listens seriously when India speaks.
He praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his work in Gorakhpur, describing the region as a fertile land both religiously and politically. Chaudhary credited CM Yogi with transforming a "backward state" into a "healthy state" and giving it a new identity. He also mentioned that the Modi government is working to fulfil Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's vision of 'Antyodaya' or the upliftment of the poorest.
Reflecting on his own political trajectory, Chaudhary acknowledged the party's trust in him, from serving as the Minister of State for Finance to now heading the state organization. The event was attended by senior BJP functionaries including former state president Ramapati Ram Tripathi, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan, and MPs Ravi Kishan and Shashank Mani Tripathi.
The homecoming visit effectively served as both a thanksgiving tour and a rallying cry, mobilizing the party's grassroots machinery in a key political region with an eye firmly on the 2027 electoral battle.
