Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Ajay Rai Supporters Clash During UP Congress Leadership Ceremony
The Congress party in Uttar Pradesh held a ceremony in Lucknow for its new leaders.
During the event, a disagreement involving outgoing leader Ajay Rai was followed by a clash among party workers.
Reports describe arguing, pushing, and shoes or slippers being thrown.
Some reports say the disagreement was between Rai and Mamta Chaudhary, while another account says crowded corridors and jostling helped start the trouble.
Rai said he had been mistreated and protested outside the office.
He spoke to Rahul Gandhi by phone and did not attend the planned press conference.
Senior leaders tried to calm everyone down.
Reports differ about when Rai returned inside.
New state president Aradhana Mishra spoke about protecting democracy and the Constitution.
A dispute involving outgoing Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai and party workers disrupted the Sunday ceremony welcoming new state leaders in Lucknow.
Accounts say the altercation involved heated exchanges, pushing and shoving, and shoes or slippers being thrown; one report said the commotion lasted about 30 minutes.
Reports differ on the immediate trigger: one account cites overcrowding and jostling, while others describe an exchange between Rai and party leader Mamta Chaudhary.
Rai alleged he was mistreated, staged a sit-in outside the office, spoke with Rahul Gandhi by phone, and did not attend the scheduled press conference; reports differ on when he returned inside.
Senior leaders including Pramod Tiwari and Imran Masood intervened; Aradhana Mishra spoke about defending democracy and the Constitution, while the Uttar Pradesh BJP criticized Congress over the clash.
- Who
- Supporters of outgoing Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai and other party workers; leaders involved in responses included Aradhana Mishra, Imran Masood, Pramod Tiwari and Mamta Chaudhary.
- What
- A clash and protest disrupted a ceremony marking the new Uttar Pradesh Congress leadership taking charge.
- When
- Sunday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Lucknow, India.
- Why
- Reports cite a disagreement involving Rai and Mamta Chaudhary; one account also says overcrowding and jostling preceded the confrontation. Rai alleged he was mistreated.
Rai and his supporters
Other accounts and party responses
Cause and conduct of the clash
Rai and his supporters
Rai alleged that he was mistreated; his supporters reportedly demanded an apology and the removal of Mamta Chaudhary.
Other accounts and party responses
One party leader's account attributed the escalation to overcrowding and jostling after Rai arrived; other reports describe a disagreement but provide no response from Chaudhary to Rai's allegation.
Rai's return to the office
Rai and his supporters
Some reports say Rai stayed outside during the press conference preparations or left without attending the press conference.
Other accounts and party responses
Another report says Rai returned to the office after Pramod Tiwari assured him the matter would be addressed.
Political reaction
Rai and his supporters
Rai's supporters objected to the incident, and Rai staged a protest.
Other accounts and party responses
The Uttar Pradesh BJP criticized Congress over the clash; Mishra emphasized protecting democracy and the Constitution.
- Occasion
- Ceremony marking the new Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders taking charge
- New state president
- Aradhana Mishra, also identified as Aradhana Mishra Mona
- Working president
- Imran Masood
- Outgoing state president
- Ajay Rai
- Reported duration
- Around 30 minutes in one account
- Reported conduct
- Heated exchanges, pushing and shoving, scuffles, and shoes or slippers reportedly thrown
- Rai's response
- He staged a protest, alleged mistreatment, spoke with Rahul Gandhi by phone, and missed the scheduled press conference
- Unverified allegation
- Claims that women were treated indecently were reported as unverified
Sources
Supporters of Ajay Rai and Aradhana Mishra Mona clash during swearing in ceremony
Clash erupts at UP Cong headquarters during new State President's swearing-in
Ajay Rai’s supporters clash with women party workers at Cong event to welcome Misra, Masood
