VIDEO: Shoes Hurled, Workers Clash At UP Congress Office During Aradhana Mishra’s Takeover In Lucknow

A violent altercation erupted at the Uttar Pradesh Congress office in Lucknow during the inauguration of the newly appointed state leadership on Sunday. According to reports, supporters of Congress leaders Ajay Rai and Aradhana Mishra clashed, hurling abusive language, pushing, shoving, and even throwing shoes and slippers at each other. Footage of the incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, captured senior Congress leaders Pramod Tiwari and others attempting to calm Rai amidst the commotion.

The confrontation originated when Rai's supporters began shouting slogans during the ceremony, leading to objections from Mishra’s supporters. The disagreement quickly turned into a heated exchange, eventually escalating into a physical fight that persisted for over ten minutes. Reports also indicate that Rai faced misbehavior from the opposing side, prompting senior Congress leaders to intervene and attempt to pacify him.

Although Rai was absent from the press conference following the assumption of charge, newly appointed working president Imran Masood confirmed that the Congress had formally taken over the responsibilities at the state office. Masood noted that there was no established tradition requiring the outgoing state president to attend such events.

The party had officially appointed Mishra as the state unit chief and Masood as working president as part of organizational changes ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Rai had previously held the state president's position since August 17, 2023.