Lucknow, Oct. 2 -- In a big organisational reshuffle aimed at recalibrating the party's social and regional outreach ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, the Congress high command on Friday appointed three-time Rampur Khas MLA Aradhana Mishra 'Mona' as the new president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC), replacing Ajay Rai. Saharanpur MP Imran Masood has been named working president, while Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad have been appointed senior vice presidents.

By replacing Ajay Rai, an upper caste Bhumihar leader, with Mishra, a prominent Brahmin face as the state president, the party has tried to send a strong signal to voters of the community, a segment that had been traditionally with the party but for long had shift...