"Organisation more important than position," says new UP Congress chief
New UP Congress chief Aradhana Mishra emphasizes organizational strength and protecting democracy ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ has sent a clear message to her party members, stating that the strength of the organisation far outweighs any individual designation. Speaking on her new role, she emphasized that while leadership may change, the collective mission of the Congress remains constant.
“The position in the organisation is not important, the organisation is important. Yesterday, someone else was the president; today it is me, and tomorrow it will be someone else,” Mishra remarked, underscoring the transient nature of political posts compared to the enduring nature of the party.
A unified goal for the 2027 elections
Mishra highlighted that all Congress leaders and grassroots workers share a singular objective: to strengthen the party and secure an alliance government in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. She noted that this mission aligns directly with the expectations of Rahul Gandhi.
“We are all honest and strong soldiers of the Congress, and our goal is one. To fulfil that goal, we will all get together and strengthen the Congress,” she said, calling for total unity among the ranks.
Defending democracy and the Constitution
The new chief also took a firm stance on the integrity of the electoral process, addressing concerns regarding the credibility of the Election Commission. She described the issue of "vote theft" as a national concern that transcends party lines and affects everyone who believes in the Constitution.
Mishra specifically referenced the controversy surrounding the Election Commission, noting that the allegations made by senior members against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have sparked vital nationwide discussions. She asserted that the Congress party, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, is committed to the responsibility of safeguarding every citizen's vote.
"This is not a responsibility we are assuming only now; we fought for the nation's freedom during the independence movement, and today, we will fight to protect the country's democracy and its Constitution," she declared.
Strategic shifts and the Samajwadi Party alliance
As part of the party's preparation for the upcoming electoral battles, Mishra outlined several key priorities, including:
- Booth-level strengthening: Focusing on the grassroots to ensure a solid foundation.
- Inclusive leadership: Taking all party leaders and workers along in the decision-making process.
- Maintaining Alliances: Ensuring the continued strength of the partnership with the Samajwadi Party, following their successful collaboration during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections under the INDIA bloc.
Mishra, a three-time MLA from Rampur Khas in Pratapgarh and former Congress Legislature Party leader, succeeds Ajay Rai. Her appointment comes alongside a broader organisational reshuffle designed to fortify the state unit. Recent appointments include Saharanpur MP Imran Masood as working president, Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad as senior vice presidents, and Chaudhary Virendra Singh as the new Congress Legislature Party leader in the state.