Chaos in Lucknow: Scuffle Breaks Out at Ajay Rai's Office
Chaos erupted at former UP Congress chief Ajay Rai's Lucknow office as workers clashed ahead of Aradhana Misra-Mona's charge-taking ceremony.
A violent confrontation erupted among Congress workers at the Lucknow office of former Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Sunday. The incident occurred during a period of intense organizational transition within the state unit, just as the party prepares for the official charge-taking ceremony of its new president, Aradhana Misra ‘Mona’.
Tensions Rise Amid Leadership Change
The scuffle took place against the backdrop of a major leadership reshuffle aimed at strengthening the Congress party ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Aradhana Misra ‘Mona’, a three-time MLA from Rampur Khas and former Congress Legislature Party leader, was appointed as the new Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president on October 2, 2026, succeeding Ajay Rai.
While the party seeks to present a united front for "Mission 2027," the physical altercation at the office of the outgoing chief highlights the underlying frictions during this period of transition. The party has also recently appointed Saharanpur MP Imran Masood as working president, alongside Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad as senior vice presidents.
Ajay Rai Raises Concerns Over Electoral Rolls
Amidst the internal turmoil, former president Ajay Rai has leveled serious allegations regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Rai claimed that the revision process has led to the systematic removal of names of vulnerable citizens living in slum settlements, effectively stripping them of their fundamental right to vote.
The former chief made several pointed accusations:
- He alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner is operating under significant government pressure.
- He claimed that economically weaker sections and ordinary citizens are in a state of distress due to the current revision process.
- He urged supporters of the revision to visit slum areas personally to witness the ground reality of disenfranchisement.
Mission 2027: The Road Ahead
Despite the chaos in Lucknow, the new leadership is focused on the upcoming electoral battle. Aradhana Misra ‘Mona’ has emphasized her commitment to grassroots strengthening and working closely with the INDIA bloc ally, the Samajwadi Party.
"My primary duty is to live up to the trust placed in me by party workers and the leadership; our goal is to form the government in 2027 and steer Uttar Pradesh in a new direction," Mona stated, adding that workers remain committed to the vision set by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to protect the Constitution.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari expressed strong confidence in the new appointment, noting Mona's journey from a Panchayat member to a prominent legislator. He believes her leadership will be the catalyst required to bring the Congress party back to power in the state.