Big change in UP Congress! Aradhana Mishra Mona likely to replace Ajay Rai as Congress' Brahmin bet ahead of 2027 polls?

Lucknow. Ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, there are murmurs of a major organisational change within the Congress. According to sources, the Congress is now seriously considering to bring a new face in place of state president Ajay Rai. Aradhana Mishra Mona, Congress MLA from Rampur Khas in Pratapgarh, is likely to be made the state Congress chief. However, no official announcement has been made by Congress yet.

If this change happens, it could be seen as not just an organisational reshuffle for the UP Congress, but an attempt to work out social and political equations ahead of the 2027 elections. Aradhana Mishra Mona is the daughter of senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari and has been continuously winning from Rampur Khas assembly seat. The official profile of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly also records her as the Congress MLA from Rampur Khas and daughter of Pramod Tiwari.

The face of the Congress in Rampur Khas continuously since 2014

Aradhana Mishra had entered Assembly politics by winning the 2014 by-election from Rampur Khas. He won from the same seat in the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections. Rampur Khas is considered to be the strong political base of his family. His father Pramod Tiwari has also represented the same seat for a long time.

Currently, Aradhana Mishra is also the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and one of the prominent voices of the party in the Assembly. In such a situation, in the event of getting the responsibility of the state organization, he will have the challenge of taking the experience of assembly politics to the organizational structure of the entire state.

Why Ajay Rai's replacement?

According to sources, the Congress leadership is brainstorming on changes in the UP organisation. Reports have also claimed that the possibility of removing Ajay Rai from the post of state president and giving him another responsibility at the central level in the party could be considered. That is, the possible change is not necessarily seen as the end of Ajay Rai's political role.

There is also a discussion that the formula of making an OBC and a Muslim working president along with the new state president may also be under consideration. If that happens, the Congress may be seen as trying to give representation to different social groups in the organisation.

What will change the political equation in the name of worship?

With the name of Aradhana Mishra Mona coming up, the most talked about issue is Brahmin representation. The current state president Ajay Rai comes from the Bhumihar community, while Aradhana Mishra is from the Brahmin community. In such a situation, his name is being seen in political circles as a possible strategy of the Congress to achieve social equality.

But the challenge for the Congress will not be limited to caste equations. Before the 2027 elections, the party will have to strengthen the organisation up to the booth level, increase the activeness among the workers and also make the coordination with the allies effective on the ground.

Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam has been making frequent statements in recent days about preparations, organisation and alliances for 2027. The Congress has also intensified activities to strengthen the organisation in the state.

Now the focus is on the Congress high command.

The biggest question at the moment is whether the Congress high command actually hands over the responsibility of state president to Aradhana Mishra Mona in place of Ajay Rai or another face emerges for the organisation.

If Aradhana Mishra's name is sealed, it will be a major milestone in her political journey from the regional politics of Rampur Khas to the state level command of the UP Congress.

The decision is currently in the hands of the Congress high command and an official announcement is awaited.