With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approaching, the Congress is once again grappling with internal differences. The growing rift between state Congress president Ajay Rai and All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam is emerging as a major concern for the party leadership, and while political parties across Uttar Pradesh have begun intensifying their organisational and electoral preparations, the Congress is increasingly occupied with resolving differences within its state unit. Sources say that the party high command is considering a change of Uttar Pradesh Congress president and that a decision could be announced in the coming days.
The developments come against the backdrop of similar instances of factionalism in the Congress in states such as Assam and Punjab, where internal disputes have often complicated the party’s electoral preparations. The Congress high command intervened, earlier last week, to address the differences between Rai and Gautam. According to state Congress sources, the two leaders have markedly different political and organisational styles. Rai, a Bhumihar leader from Varanasi who has headed the state unit since August 2023, is seen as having a largely upper-caste-centric political profile, while Gautam, a Dalit leader appointed AICC in-charge of Uttar Pradesh in June this year, has been given considerable autonomy to rebuild the party’s organisation. Since then, Gautam has increasingly expanded his outreach to Dalit, OBC and minority communities and has taken several organisational decisions independently. This has apparently not always gone down well with Rai and his team. A key concern within the Congress is that Rai’s political reach among Dalits and minorities is perceived to be limited. The party is, therefore, examining whether a change in leadership could help it broaden its social coalition by bringing together Dalit, OBC and minority voters—groups that the party hopes to consolidate ahead of the Assembly elections.
Delhi sources claimed that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal held an hour-long meeting with Gautam, during which several organisational issues were discussed, including the possible impact of the existing state committee under Rai on the party’s electoral prospects. Sources claimed tensions escalated after Gautam raised the issue of removing Rai as state Congress president. Gautam is said to have argued in favour of appointing a Muslim leader to the post as part of a broader strategy to balance Dalit and Muslim representation in the state unit. According to sources, the proposed arrangement could also have implications for the Congress’ alliance with the Samajwadi Party. With a Dalit leader serving as the state in-charge and a Muslim face heading the state unit, the Congress could seek greater leverage in seat-sharing negotiations with the SP, which has traditionally relied heavily on Muslim support in Uttar Pradesh. A senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leader said the differences between Rai and Gautam were rooted in their contrasting political approaches. “Ajay Rai’s politics revolves around temples and upper-caste communities, whereas Gautam is an Ambedkarite and is not inclined to bring religion into politics,” the leader said, adding that differences between the two were therefore almost inevitable.
The leader also pointed to a history of poor coordination between the two. According to him, Rai had been uncomfortable with Gautam even before the latter was appointed AICC in-charge, when Gautam was handling the Congress Scheduled Caste department in Uttar Pradesh. One example cited was an event organised in Lucknow to mark the birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule. While Rai organised a programme, Gautam and Congress leader Anil Jain apparently held a separate event at another venue, reflecting the lack of coordination within the state organisation. Gautam’s own political ambitions also seem to have contributed to the tensions. Sources said he had earlier aspired to become the Uttar Pradesh Congress president. Differences deepened after an incident in which Gautam went to meet BSP chief Mayawati. The UP Congress subsequently distanced itself from his actions, and there were apparently suggestions within the organisation that he be removed from his organisational position. Despite subsequent attempts to project unity, the differences have continued.
During an AICC meeting in August, Venugopal apparently raised concerns over factionalism in the Uttar Pradesh unit. Rai and Gautam were later seen together at public programmes and even holding hands in an apparent show of unity, but sources said the underlying differences remained unresolved. Gautam has also apparently complained to the high command about lack of cooperation from Rai and members of his team. Rai’s centralised style of functioning, coupled with Gautam’s independent organisational network, has further complicated efforts to establish coordination. With the 2027 Assembly elections drawing closer, Congress leaders fear that the continuing dispute could slow down organisational expansion and weaken the party’s preparations at a time when rival parties are already mobilising their cadres. The high command is now examining possible alternatives to Rai.
One option under consideration is Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra, which would allow the party to maintain continuity while changing the leadership of the state organisation. Although, if Mishra is unwilling, sources said the Congress could consider a Muslim face. Among the names being discussed are former MP Imran Masood, former MP Danish Ali and Nadeem Javed. However, Masood’s equation with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is a concern, while Danish Ali is being viewed by some within the party as a potential dark horse. The leadership tussle comes amid crucial seat-sharing talks between the Congress and SP. However, SP national spokesperson I.P. Singh told The Sunday Guardian that the issue was internal to Congress and would not affect the alliance. Singh also praised Rai’s tenure and his strong contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, saying Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership would resolve the matter before the 2027 elections. The leadership change could nevertheless influence Congress’ social strategy and its bargaining position with the SP.
