Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Congress Reshuffles Uttar Pradesh Unit Ahead Of Polls
The Congress party changed several leaders in Uttar Pradesh before the next state election.
Aradhana Misra-Mona became the new state Congress president.
Imran Masood became the working president.
Two other leaders, Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad, became senior vice presidents.
Chaudhary Virendra Singh became the party’s leader in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
Mona had held that job before him.
The party said the changes were made immediately and thanked former president Ajay Rai.
Congress leaders and reports said the new team could help the party reach different communities and strengthen its organization.
Aradhana Misra-Mona was appointed president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress unit, replacing Ajay Rai.
MP Imran Masood was named working president, while Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad became senior vice presidents.
Chaudhary Virendra Singh was appointed leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Uttar Pradesh, replacing Mona in that role.
The appointments were made with immediate effect by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections due next year.
The Congress also appointed former hockey captain Pargat Singh president of its Punjab unit after Amarinder Singh Raja Warring resigned.
- Who
- The Congress, led in these appointments by President Mallikarjun Kharge, appointed Aradhana Misra-Mona, Imran Masood, Devinder Nishad, Alok Prasad and Chaudhary Virendra Singh to Uttar Pradesh roles.
- What
- The party carried out a leadership reshuffle, naming Mona state president, Masood working president and Singh Congress Legislature Party leader.
- When
- The appointments were announced on October 2 and took effect immediately; Uttar Pradesh elections are due early the following year.
- Where
- The changes concern the Congress organization and legislature in Uttar Pradesh, and were announced from New Delhi.
- Why
- The reshuffle was made ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and was described as an effort to strengthen the party’s organization and legislative presence.
Congress’s Strategic Rationale
Potential Political Concerns
Community and voter outreach
Congress’s Strategic Rationale
Reports described the appointments as an effort to create social balance, reach Muslim voters in western Uttar Pradesh and strengthen the party’s appeal among women.
Potential Political Concerns
The strategic impact remains uncertain, and Imran Masood’s recent exchanges with the Samajwadi Party could create friction with a potential political partner.
Organizational direction
Congress’s Strategic Rationale
Congress leaders said the new team would provide fresh direction, improve coordination and strengthen the party’s legislative voice.
Potential Political Concerns
The reshuffle shifts key responsibilities and could complicate seat-sharing negotiations with the Samajwadi Party ahead of the election.
- New UPCC president
- Aradhana Misra-Mona
- Working president
- Imran Masood
- Senior vice presidents
- Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad
- New CLP leader
- Chaudhary Virendra Singh
- Outgoing UPCC president
- Ajay Rai, who had led the unit since August 2023
- Immediate predecessor in CLP role
- Aradhana Misra-Mona
- Additional state reshuffle
- Pargat Singh was appointed Punjab Congress president after Amarinder Singh Raja Warring resigned
Sources
Congress rejigs UP, Punjab units ahead of polls, names Aradhana Misra, Pargat Singh presidents
Congress appoints Aradhana Misra-Mona president of UP unit, Imran Masood named working president
Aradhana Misra Mona appointed UP Congress President