LUCKNOW, Oct. 13 -- A day after a scuffle at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) office when Aradhana Mishra took charge as the new state president from Ajay Rai, the latter said he remained a committed Congress soldier and would win the Pindra assembly seat in Varanasi-his political home turf-for the party, indicating he was not going anywhere else.

Rai, a five-time former MLA from Kolasla (1996, 2002, 2007 and 2009 by-election) and Pindra (2012), appeared unfazed over his removal as the UP Congress chief last week and finding himself at the centre of a controversy in the scuffle at the UPCC headquarters.

In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Rai said: "I remain a committed soldier of the Congress and will win the Pin...