Congress appoints Aradhana Mishra as UP chief, Imran Masood as working president
The leadership shake-up comes ahead of the 2027 assembly elections as the party seeks to rebuild its base in Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress party has overhauled its leadership in Uttar Pradesh, appointing three-term MLA Aradhana Mishra, widely known as Mona, as its new state president ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
The appointment, announced on Friday, is part of a broader shake-up aimed at reviving the party’s fortunes in India’s most populous state. Alongside Mishra, Saharanpur MP Imran Masood has been named the working president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) with immediate effect.
Mishra, 52, replaces Ajay Rai, who had led the state unit since August 2023. In a statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge confirmed the appointments and expressed the party's appreciation for Rai's contributions during his tenure.
Who is Aradhana Mishra?
Mishra is a prominent figure in Uttar Pradesh politics and currently represents the Rampur Khas constituency in Pratapgarh as a three-time MLA. She previously served as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in the state assembly.
She is the daughter of veteran Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari, who represented Rampur Khas for nine consecutive terms before transitioning to national politics. The Tiwari family has maintained an uninterrupted hold on the constituency for 47 years.
Within the party, Mishra is recognized as a key Brahmin face. Party insiders suggest her appointment is a strategic attempt to win back support from the state's Brahmin community, which has historically played a significant role in Uttar Pradesh elections. She is also considered close to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, having worked closely with her during the state's 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon' campaign.
Further appointments and the Punjab shift
Because Mishra is stepping into the state presidency, she will hand over her legislative duties. The party has appointed Chaudhary Virendra Singh as the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Uttar Pradesh.
To round out the new state leadership team, Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad have been appointed as senior vice presidents of the UPCC.
In a parallel move outside Uttar Pradesh, the Congress leadership also announced changes in Punjab. Former hockey captain Pargat Singh has been appointed president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, taking over after Amarinder Singh Raja Warring resigned from the post.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Years the Tiwari family has held Rampur Khas | 47 | Party records |
| Terms served by Aradhana Mishra as MLA | 3 | Official election records |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | The state where the leadership restructuring has taken place. |
| Aradhana Mishra | Newly appointed president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. |
