Anupriya Patel is a prominent political figure from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the Kurmi community and currently associated with Apna Dal (Soneylal). With a political career spanning over a decade since 2012, she has been elected as MLA once and MP three times and has served as Minister of State for Health and Chemicals. Known for her strong caste base, educated image, and ability to survive political waves from SP-BSP era to BJP dominance since 2017, Anupriya Patel remains influential in UP politics. Despite controversies and family feud mentioned in election affidavits, her hold over Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sonbhadra belt is considered strong but contested.
Born in Kanpur in 1981 to Dr. Sonelal Patel, founder of Apna Dal, she inherited a party that represented Kurmi, Kushwaha, Patel aspirations. Her mother Krishna Patel and sister Pallavi Patel run a rival faction Apna Dal Kamerawadi allied with Samajwadi Party, making her family story one of the most dramatic splits in Indian politics. Educated at Lady Shri Ram College Delhi and an MBA, she stands out among OBC leaders for her fluent English and data-driven speeches in Parliament. She married Ashish Patel in 2009, who is now a minister in UP government, creating a husband-wife power duo.
Her political journey started with a sympathy wave in 2012 when she won Rohaniya assembly seat after father’s death. In 2014 she allied with BJP and won Mirzapur by 92,149 votes, becoming Minister of State for Commerce. She repeated victory in 2019 with a massive margin of 2.3 lakh votes and again in 2024 with a reduced margin of 37,810 votes despite anti-incumbency, proving her resilience. As party president of Apna Dal (S), she expanded from 9 wins in 2017 to 12 wins in 2022 within NDA in UP assembly elections. Her party claims 25 lakh members across 75 districts.
In government, she handled Health during Covid second wave, pushing generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. As of 2026, ahead of crucial 2027 UP Assembly elections, Anupriya Patel is seen as a potential kingmaker whose alliance choice will impact Purvanchal politics. She maintains strong social media presence and organizes massive Kurmi सम्मेलन each year. Her asset grew from 2.1 crore in 2014 to 8.4 crore in 2024.
Controversies include allegations of husband interference in ticket distribution, recruitment bias in Mirzapur medical college, and her statement on 69,000 teacher recruitment alleged caste injustice. Yet she remains BJP’s most trusted OBC ally in UP. If BJP gives her deputy CM post in 2027 scenario, she could become first Kurmi woman Deputy CM of UP. Her future goal in next 5 years is to establish her family firmly in state politics and get a cabinet berth at centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is caste of Anupriya Patel? A. She belongs to Kurmi community, also called Patel in UP.
Q2. Who is husband of Anupriya Patel? A. Ashish Singh Patel, MLC and Technical Education Minister in UP Govt.
Q3. How many times Anupriya Patel won MP election? A. Three times – 2014, 2019, 2024 from Mirzapur.
Q4. What is party of Anupriya Patel? A. Apna Dal (Soneylal), NDA ally in UP and Centre.
Q5. What is education of Anupriya Patel? A. Psychology graduate from Lady Shri Ram College, MBA and Masters in Psychology.
