Ajay Rai’s Supporters Clash with Women Party Workers at Congress Event to Welcome Aradhana Misra, Imran Masood

A clash broke out at the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during an event organised around the formal assumption of new leadership responsibilities by Aradhana Misra and Imran Masood. The incident reportedly involved supporters of outgoing state Congress president Ajay Rai and a group of party workers, including supporters of Congress corporator Mamta Chaudhary.

According to a report by The Indian Express, abuses were exchanged and shoes were allegedly hurled inside the party office premises. The confrontation took place in the presence of senior Congress leaders, creating an embarrassing episode during a programme associated with changes in the party's state leadership.

Clash Before New Leaders Formally Took Charge

The incident occurred before Aradhana Misra formally took charge as president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) and Imran Masood assumed his responsibilities as working president.

Party leaders told The Indian Express that Misra was not present in the office when the clash broke out. The confrontation reportedly began as Ajay Rai arrived at the headquarters with his supporters, while supporters of other party leaders and women Congress workers were already present.

The event had been organised amid a leadership transition in the Uttar Pradesh Congress unit ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

How the Confrontation Escalated

According to a senior Congress leader quoted in the report, the party office corridors became overcrowded following the arrival of Rai and his supporters. The congestion reportedly led to jostling among people gathered at the headquarters.

The situation subsequently escalated into an argument, with party workers allegedly exchanging abuses and throwing shoes. A scuffle followed, according to the account provided by the party leader.

The available report does not establish the precise sequence of every exchange or identify all the individuals involved in the alleged physical confrontation.

Women Congress Workers and Mamta Chaudhary's Supporters

The group already present at the party headquarters included supporters of Mamta Chaudhary, a Congress corporator who also serves as president of the Central Zone Mahila Congress.

The confrontation reportedly involved members of this group and supporters accompanying Ajay Rai. The incident highlights tensions among party workers during a significant organisational transition, although the supplied report does not establish the underlying reasons for the disagreement.

Further information from the party leadership would be required to determine whether the confrontation arose from disagreements over organisational roles, arrangements for the event or other internal matters.

Leadership Transition in Uttar Pradesh Congress

The incident took place as Congress reorganised its Uttar Pradesh leadership ahead of the next Assembly election.

Aradhana Misra, a three-term MLA from Rampur Khas, was appointed UPCC president. Imran Masood, the Congress MP from Saharanpur, was appointed working president.

The appointments form part of the party's effort to strengthen its state organisation before the 2027 electoral contest. The new leadership faces the task of coordinating party workers, strengthening the organisation and preparing for electoral negotiations and campaigning.

An incident involving party workers at the headquarters may complicate efforts to project organisational unity during the transition. However, the broader effect on the party's functioning and election preparations cannot be determined from this incident alone.

Questions Over Party Discipline and Internal Coordination

The reported confrontation raises questions about crowd management, coordination among party workers and discipline during major organisational events.

Political party headquarters often bring together leaders, supporters and workers from different organisational groups. Clear arrangements and effective communication are important to ensuring that such gatherings proceed without confrontation.

The supplied report does not state whether the Congress leadership announced disciplinary action, ordered an inquiry or issued an official explanation following the incident. Any subsequent response should be added only after confirmation from reliable reporting or an official party statement.

Source: The Indian Express
Reporter: Maulshree Seth
Updated: October 12, 2026, at 5:41 AM IST
Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh