LUCKNOW: Chaotic scenes unfolded at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) headquarters on Sunday as supporters of outgoing state president Ajay Rai clashed with a group associated with Congress councillor Mamta Chaudhary over clearing a passage for him. The confrontation triggered a heated exchange and a scuffle in which shoes were allegedly used.The confrontation occurred shortly before newly appointed UP Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ arrived to formally assume charge.According to party workers present at the venue, the dispute began when Rai’s supporters asked people standing near the entrance to make way, saying the state president was arriving. Chaudhary allegedly responded by asking, “Which president?”, provoking an argument between the two groups.The verbal confrontation soon escalated, with supporters from both sides allegedly attacking each other with shoes. Rai’s supporters accused Chaudhary of insulting the outgoing president and demanded her expulsion from the party.Sources among party workers claimed Rai was visibly upset by the incident and initially decided to leave the headquarters without participating in the formal handover ceremony.However, following the intervention of Congress MP Imran Masood and incoming president Mona, Rai returned to the premises and formally handed over charge to his successor.Significantly, although Rai participated in the handover, he was conspicuously absent when Mona subsequently addressed her first press conference as UP Congress president.Asked about Rai’s departure, Masood maintained that the outgoing president had completed the formalities. “He left only after handing over charge,” Masood said.Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Mahila Congress vice-president Sheela Mishra offered a different account of the confrontation, claiming that women workers had gathered to welcome both the outgoing and incoming presidents.“We were standing there to welcome both leaders. Some young men started asking us to move aside. Mamta merely told them that we were also there to welcome the new president,” she said.Sheela alleged that some men then asked the women to “stay within their limits”, escalating tensions. She also claimed that banners put up by women workers had been damaged earlier.Describing Rai as a respected leader, she said women Congress workers wanted him to receive a bigger responsibility within the party.Despite the disruption, Mona formally assumed charge and addressed the media, outlining her priorities for strengthening the organisation ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
