UP Congress headquarters erupts in violence during leadership ceremony

A violent clash erupted at the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Lucknow during the swearing-in ceremony of new state president Aradhana Misra Mona and working president Imran Masood. The altercation involved supporters of former state president Ajay Rai and women's wing leader Mamta Chaudhary.

The dispute reportedly began with a verbal exchange between Rai and Chaudhary, which escalated into physical scuffles, pushing, shoving, and the hurling of shoes and slippers. Following the chaos, Ajay Rai staged a protest at the office and demanded Chaudhary’s expulsion from the party, alleging her conduct harms the organization's image.

Mamta Chaudhary has countered these allegations, accusing Rai of exhibiting anti-Dalit sentiments and aggressive behavior toward women during the incident. She stated she intends to raise the matter with senior leadership, including Rahul Gandhi. Senior leaders Pramod Tiwari and Imran Masood intervened to pacify the factions and restore order.

Separately, Ajay Rai also raised concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the names of vulnerable people in slum settlements have been removed, potentially depriving them of voting rights.