NEW DELHI: Fifty-two political leaders in Uttar Pradesh have been provided bulletproof jackets as part of security measures ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, according to sources cited by news agency ANI on Saturday.

The recipients include Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, and BJP leader Aparna Yadav.

Sources indicated that each bulletproof jacket costs approximately Rs 10 lakh. The distribution was carried out in two stages, with eight leaders receiving the gear in the first phase and 44 receiving it in the second phase.

Key recipients and security allocations include:

State Ministers: Eleven government ministers, including Sanjay Nishad, Nand Gopal Gupta " Nandi", and Om Prakash Rajbhar. BJP Leaders: Security enhancements were extended to leaders such as Swatantra Dev Singh, Jaiveer Singh, and Mahendra Singh.

Broader Security Coverage: A total of 98 leaders and prominent figures in the state are set to receive various categories of security. The security upgrades coincide with early preparations by political parties for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

The BJP has named general secretary Vinod Tawde as its election in-charge for the state, while Jagdish Ishwarbhai Patel has been appointed co-in-charge.

Sources added that the BJP is focusing on social and caste equations by granting greater representation to leaders from Other Backward Classes and minority communities, alongside conducting surveys across assembly constituencies to evaluate organizational strength, prospective candidates, and local issues.