Xpress News24
With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due in early 2027, the Congress is considering changes to its state organisation, and the future of state president Ajay Rai has become a subject of fresh discussion within the party. Reports suggest that the Congress high command is weighing whether to retain Rai or bring in a new face before the election campaign gathers further momentum.
Rai was appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president in August 2023. Since then, he has led the state unit through the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the ongoing organisational preparations for the Assembly polls. He also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In September, Rai publicly announced that he would contest the 2027 Assembly election from the Pindra seat in Varanasi.
The leadership discussion comes at a time when the Congress is already carrying out a broader organisational exercise in Uttar Pradesh. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal held discussions with UP in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, Ajay Rai and Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ in September over changes in the state organisation and the appointment of district presidents. The party has been working to strengthen its organisational structure ahead of the Assembly election.
Among the names being discussed for the state president’s post, Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ has emerged as a prominent possibility. Mishra is a three-time MLA from the Rampur Khas constituency in Pratapgarh and leads the Congress Legislature Party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. She is also the daughter of senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari.
Her name has gained attention amid the party’s discussions over the social composition of its state leadership. A September report said the Congress was examining the possibility of a Brahmin or OBC face for the post, while other discussions have also focused on giving greater representation to different social groups.
The possibility of an OBC or Muslim face has also figured in the internal discussions. With Rajendra Pal Gautam, a Dalit leader, serving as the AICC in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, the party’s organisational changes are being viewed in the context of its broader social outreach ahead of the election. Congress has also appointed Kunwar Singh Nishad as chairman of the UPCC Media and Publicity Department, another move being linked to its organisational preparations for 2027.
There is also a possibility of a broader leadership arrangement rather than a simple replacement. Discussions have included the idea of having a state president along with working presidents representing different social groups. However, there is no official confirmation yet that such a structure will be adopted.
The speculation around Rai intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met him individually in late September. According to India Today, the meeting was held amid discussions within the party over the future leadership of both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab ahead of the 2027 polls. A final decision is expected to rest with the central leadership
For Rai, a change at the state level would not necessarily mean an exit from electoral politics. His announcement to contest from Pindra indicates that he is preparing for the Assembly election, while the party could also assign him another organisational responsibility if a new state president is appointed.
At present, however, the Congress has not formally announced any change in the Uttar Pradesh PCC leadership. Ajay Rai continues to hold the post, and the discussions about a possible successor remain part of the party’s ongoing organisational exercise.
