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Congress Faces Internal Turmoil in Uttar Pradesh as Rumors Swirl Around Ajay Rai
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News18•13-10-2026, 14:56
Congress Faces Internal Turmoil in Uttar Pradesh as Rumors Swirl Around Ajay Rai
- •Ajay Rai was removed from the post of Uttar Pradesh Congress state president, sparking rumors of a potential switch to the BJP.
- •Tensions flared at the Lucknow party office during the welcome ceremony of new state president Aradhana Mishra Mona.
- •Ajay Rai remains vocal on public issues and recently criticized the theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir.
- •Sources suggest Congress may offer him a major central responsibility to appease his anger and prevent him from leaving.
- •The leadership change is seen as part of strategic adjustments to balance equations with the Samajwadi Party and court specific voter bases.
Key Questions Answered
Sources indicate that Congress made this leadership change to balance equations with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav regarding seat-sharing for the 2027 elections and to court Brahmin-Dalit votes by replacing him with Aradhana Mishra 'Mona'.
Aradhana Mishra 'Mona', a three-time MLA from Rampur Khas in Pratapgarh and a four-generation Congress background leader, was appointed as the new UPCC president on October 2, 2026.
Sources suggest that the Congress party may assign Ajay Rai as an in-charge of another state or grant him a major central responsibility to manage his resentment after his sudden removal.
