Ajay Rai pledges loyalty to Rahul Gandhi after UP Congress shakeup

Declaring himself a "Hanuman" to Rahul Gandhi, former Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai has vowed to continue his political battle against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rai’s pledge follows a sweeping organizational overhaul that saw Aradhana Misra 'Mona' installed as the new state party chief.

Editorial·October 3, 2026·reads: 256

Rai dismissed the loss of his leadership post as a temporary development, emphasizing that his commitment to the party remains independent of formal titles. Reflecting on his tenure, he pointed to his history as a five-time MLA from Pindra and his efforts to support constituents during medical crises. He urged his successor, Aradhana Misra, to prioritize the protection of party workers against what he described as harassment by the BJP government, local police, and allied groups.

The leadership shift is part of a broader strategy by the Congress high command to prepare for upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Aradhana Misra, daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari and a former Congress Legislature Party leader, takes the helm as the party recalibrates its regional campaign. The restructuring also elevates Lok Sabha MP Imran Masood to Working President, alongside the appointments of Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad as Senior Vice Presidents.