UP Congress chief Mona sets sights on 2027 polls, demands CEC's resignation over 'vote theft'

LUCKNOW: Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ on Sunday declared that strengthening the party organisation and securing a better electoral performance in the 2027 assembly polls would be her foremost priorities, while accusing the BJP govt of failing on unemployment, inflation, corruption, farmers' issues and women's safety.Addressing her maiden press conference at the UP Congress headquarters in Lucknow after assuming charge, Mona said the party would intensify its campaign to protect the Constitution and democracy. Interestingly, outgoing state president Ajay Rai, whom she thanked for strengthening the organisation, was not present during her first interaction with the media as state chief."This is not a time for celebrations, welcomes or honours. This is a time for struggle," Mona said, calling upon Congress workers across Uttar Pradesh to stand shoulder to shoulder with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.Acknowledging Rai's contribution, she said he had led the organisation through difficult circumstances and strengthened its foundations. She also recalled her family's four-generation association with the freedom movement and Congress, pledging to protect the dignity of every party worker.Setting the political agenda for 2027, Mona claimed that the organisational groundwork undertaken between 2019 and 2022 had contributed to the INDIA bloc's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections."It was Uttar Pradesh that stopped the BJP's arrogance. If Narendra Modi's govt today depends on Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, it is because of the mandate delivered by the people of Uttar Pradesh," she claimed.Expressing confidence that Congress and its allies would improve upon their 2024 performance, Mona said removing the BJP govt in 2027 would be the party's central objective.Launching a sharp attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Mona alleged that the Election Commission was responsible for the theft of more than 13 crore votes across the country. The allegation was not accompanied by independently verified evidence in her remarks.She demanded Kumar's resignation and immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, asserting that the Congress-led struggle would continue until free, fair and transparent elections were ensured.Mona maintained that the agitation was not confined to Congress, claiming that INDIA bloc constituents had jointly participated in protests and delegations seeking electoral accountability.She also accused authorities of turning Delhi into a fortress and mistreating opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and women parliamentarians, during demonstrations.On women's issues, Mona questioned the BJP's claims of empowerment, alleging that women, including Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and ordinary citizens, continued to face exploitation and insecurity in Uttar Pradesh.She said Congress would mobilise its workers across the state, strengthen its grassroots organisation and build a united opposition campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.