Congress RS member Pramod Tiwari and former UPCC chief Ajay Rai at party headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday
Earlier reporting noted: Chaos erupts at UP Cong HQ as supporters of Ajay Rai, councillor clash Congress supporters clashed before Aradhana Mishra Mona assumed charge as UPCC president Earlier reporting noted: Congress supporters clashed before Aradhana Mishra Mona assumed charge as UPCC president Earlier reporting noted: Shoes hurled as anti-Ajay Rai slogan triggers scuffle on new Uttar Pradesh Congress chief’s Day 1 at party HQ Shoes, slippers and abuses were hurled at the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday as a slogan against outgoing state unit president Ajay Rai triggered chaos and a scuffle just before new state chief Aradhana Mishra formally took charge from her predecessor.
Describing Rai as a respected leader, she said women Congress workers wanted him to receive a bigger responsibility within the party. 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.
The dispute began when Rai’s supporters asked people standing near the entrance to make way, saying the state president was arriving, according to party workers present at the venue. Chaudhary allegedly responded by questioning, “Which president?” provoking an argument between the two groups. Suddenly, Rai shouted at me asking me to stay within my limits,” she said.
The confrontation occurred shortly before newly appointed UP Congress president Aradhana Misra Mona arrived to formally assume charge. The incident delayed her maiden press conference by nearly an hour. However, Chaudhary rejected allegations that she insulted Rai or made any objectionable remarks. “We were waiting to welcome the new president. When Rai arrived, his supporters asked us to move aside, and I was helping women make way. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Mahila Congress vice-president Sheela Mishra claimed that some men asked them to give way and then asked them to stay within their limits.
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 women state president and councilor Mamta Chaudhary over clearing a passage for him, triggering a heated exchange and a scuffle.