Who Is Krishna Paswan? Four-Time MLA And Pasi Face Inducted Into Yogi Cabinet

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 17:01 IST

Paswan, 60, was among the six new faces inducted into the Uttar Pradesh cabinet during the Yogi government’s second cabinet expansion on Sunday.

Carrying a shovel in her hand to expose poor road construction had turned Krishna Paswan into a viral political face earlier this year. Months later, the BJP rewarded the four-time MLA with a ministerial berth in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet expansion, appreciating both her grassroots image and the party’s outreach to the influential Pasi community.

From working as an Anganwadi worker in a small village in Fatehpur to becoming a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, Krishna Paswan’s political journey has been marked by grassroots struggles, protests and a steady organisational rise over nearly three decades.

Paswan, 60, was among the six new faces inducted into the Uttar Pradesh cabinet during the Yogi government’s second cabinet expansion on Sunday. A four-time MLA from Fatehpur’s Khaga Assembly constituency, she has emerged as one of the BJP’s prominent Dalit women leaders in the state.

Born in Pilkhini village in the Bindki area of Fatehpur district, Paswan began her social life as an Anganwadi worker, travelling across villages on a bicycle while working among women and children. Her entry into politics came in 1995, when she became a BJP Mandal president and was elected district panchayat member from Khesahan ward.

Five years later, she won again from Ghazipur ward and soon emerged as a Dalit face within the BJP in Fatehpur district. Although she lost the district panchayat chairperson election in 2000, the setback did not slow her political rise.

In 2002, she became MLA from the Kishanpur Assembly seat on a BJP ticket, opening the party’s account in the constituency for the first time. Over the years, she continued to rise within the organisation, serving as BJP district president in 2007 and regional president in 2009.

Since 2012, Paswan has continuously represented the Khaga Assembly constituency. She currently also serves as chairperson of the Women and Child Development Department committee and as a chief whip in the legislative party.

Her political career has often been shaped by aggressive protests and grassroots activism. In 2012, during demonstrations over electricity shortages in Khaga, she led a road blockade protest and suffered injuries during a police lathi charge. Earlier, during the tenure of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, she had led demonstrations as BJP district president, drawing political attention in the region.

Krishna Paswan again came into the spotlight in February 2026 after she personally inspected a road construction project in Fatehpur district. Acting on complaints from villagers regarding poor-quality construction between Aimapur and Ratanpur, she picked up a shovel and dug into the newly constructed road herself.

The road, allegedly being built at a cost of Rs 38 lakh, reportedly crumbled easily during the inspection. Videos of the incident went viral on social media, strengthening her image as a grassroots leader willing to directly confront corruption and negligence. She later demanded action against the contractor and PWD officials and escalated the issue to the Chief Minister’s Office.

Political observers believe her inclusion in the cabinet also reflects the BJP’s caste calculations ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. After the Jatavs, the Pasi community is among the largest Dalit groups in Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated population of over 1.2 crore people and influence across nearly 35 to 40 Assembly seats.

For years, the Bahujan Samaj Party had a strong hold over Pasi voters. However, since 2014, the BJP has focused on consolidating support among non-Jatav Dalits. The party already has Kamlesh Paswan in the Union government, and Krishna Paswan’s elevation is being seen as another step towards strengthening the BJP’s outreach among Pasi voters.

At a time when the Samajwadi Party is also trying to mobilise support among Pasi voters through leaders like Awadhesh Prasad, the BJP’s decision to elevate Krishna Paswan signals the growing importance of caste and social representation in Uttar Pradesh politics ahead of the next Assembly elections.

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