By Pradeep Kapoor
LUCKNOW: The appointment of Aradhana Mishra as Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president represents an attempt by the Congress to rebuild its caste coalition, strengthen its bargaining position with the Samajwadi Party (SP), and prepare a more credible organisation for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Since Aradhana enjoys very good relations with Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi she will have full backing of party high command during her tenure as UPCC president. Aradhana Mishra was a constant companion of Priyanka Gandhi when she was AICC incharge of UP and gained the experience during her extensive travel to different parts of state. Imran Masood’s appointment as working president and the elevation of other community leaders reinforce this strategy.
Aradhana Mishra is Brahmin face with legislative experience and a three-time MLA from Rampur Khas in Pratapgarh and the daughter of senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari. She represents a prominent Brahmin face at a time when the Congress is trying to recover support among upper-caste voters who have largely gravitated towards the BJP.
Her record of winning her constituency even when the Congress performed poorly across the state gives her greater credibility than a leader known only for organisational work. Congress wants to demonstrate that Brahmin voters have political alternatives beyond the BJP. However, appointing a Brahmin leader will not automatically bring those voters back. The party will need local candidates, a credible political programme and sustained grassroots work.
There is also a gender dimension. Making a woman the state president gives Congress an opportunity to renew its claim on women’s political representation, particularly after its Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon campaign in 2022.
With Aradhana Mishra as UPCC president Congress leadership wants to have a broader combination of Brahmin, Muslim, OBC and Dalit representation. A stronger negotiating team. Aradhana Mishra can focus on organisational coordination and relations with the SP, while Masood provides a prominent voice from western UP.
Congress can present itself as an independent political force within the INDIA alliance rather than simply relying on anti-BJP votes. The leadership change will matter only if it is accompanied by stronger district units, active booth-level workers and credible candidates.
The attempt is to reconnect with Brahmin voters, provide a woman leader greater prominence and improve the party’s standing in eastern UP. As regards appointing Imran Masood as working President, his political base in western UP gives the Congress a prominent Muslim leader. His appointment also signals that the Congress will be taking a stronger position in its negotiations with the SP.
Similarly, Devinder Nishad’s elevation as Senior Vice President signals an effort to reach Nishad and other backward riverine communities, which are electorally significant in several UP constituencies. Another Senior VP Alok Prashad belongs to powerful Pasi dalit community. He will be focusing on Passi voters who still belong to BSP.
It would be worth mentioning here that Aradhana’s father Pramod Tewari who is now Rajya Sabha member from Congress had created a record by winning his Rampur Khas assembly constituency by nine times. Pramod Tewari enjoyed very good relations with Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav.
It was because of this understanding Samajwadi Party avoided fielding any candidate against Pramod Tiwari. Even if Samajwadi Party put up any candidate against Pramod Tewari it was dummy candidate. That is why winning assembly polls for Pramod Tewari was always cake walk. There is no doubt that with Aradhana Mishra as UPCC president it would be comfortable for the party negotiate seat sharing with Samajwadi Party.
Ever since Aradhana Mishra took over as UPCC there are reports that prominent brahmin leaders are coming back to Congress. Former minister and prominent brahmin face Shyam Sunder Sharma from Holy city Mathura has come back to party.
There is a great resentment in the powerful brahmin community with the style of functioning of a thakur chief minister Yogi Adityanath and his government. There have been series of meetings by brahmin leaders and legislators who alleged apathy of the government from the government.
Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav also alleged that brahmins we’re being targetted and we’re harassed by BJP government led by a thakur chief minister. Allegations regarding those brahmin killed in encounters is part of political debate in the state.
Congress is gaining momentum which is evident from recent alliance with Swami Prasad Maurya when both the parties agreed on 10 assembly seats. Swami Prasad Maurya met Rahul Gandhi and announced that his Apna Janata Party will join INDIA bloc and fight against NDA during forthcoming assembly polls in 2027. Swami Prasad Maurya who had been with BSP will help in consolidation of non-yadav backwards and non-jatavs dalits for INDIA bloc.
Aradhana Mishra as UPCC president will have a major role in seat sharing with Swami Prasad Maurya and his party in the state during crucial assembly polls 2027. Since Aradhana Mishra has replaced Ajai Rai who was UPCC president since 2023 and main challenger against PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi she has to prove as better negotiator with Samajwadi Party in seat sharing and build the organisation and expand the social base of the party to improve the performance in assembly polls. (IPA Service)
