‘I am Hanuman to Rahul Gandhi’: Ajay Rai after being replaced as UP Congress chief | India News
NEW DELHI: Former Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai on Saturday called himself a “Hanuman” to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he would continue to follow the party’s national leadership and carry out its political fight regardless of the position he holds.“Whatever decision the national leadership makes. They told me to fight Modi, and I fought openly with full strength, and I will continue to fight. So whatever the national leadership decides, I stand by it. I am certainly a ‘Hanuman’ to my leader Rahul Gandhi; wherever he says, I will be there,” he told ANI.Rai also recalled his contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi. Describing himself as a “simple worker”, he said he had been fielded against PM Modi with the support of the Congress leadership and Rahul Gandhi.Rai made the remarks after the Congress appointed Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ as the new UP Congress president, replacing him as part of an organisational reshuffle ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Speaking to reporters, Rai said he had always followed the decisions of the national leadership and would continue to do so.“A simple worker like me was fielded against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the support of the top leadership and Rahul Gandhi, we secured 4.6 lakh votes in Varanasi and defeated PM Modi in seven rounds. I thank Rahul Gandhi and the top leadership for their faith in me and extend my best wishes to Aradhana Mishra Mona. I hope she works hard, takes the party forward and strengthens the trust of workers by standing with them against oppression and injustice,” he said.Rai said political positions were temporary and pointed to his record as a five-time MLA from Pindra. He said he had worked extensively for people in his constituency and recalled arranging blood donations when required.“Positions in politics come and go. I have been an MLA from Pindra five times and have worked extensively for the people, even arranging blood donations through my family when needed. I thank the Pradesh Congress Committee employees, drivers, staff, workers and supporters who stood by me around the clock and helped me throughout my journey across Uttar Pradesh. We have always stood against oppression and injustice wherever it occurred,” he said.Meanwhile, Mishra, after taking charge as the new UP Congress president, said the party was ready for the 2027 Assembly elections and would contest them with the INDIA alliance.
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“Today marks the beginning of a new dawn. I express my gratitude to my leadership for entrusting me with this responsibility. This is a big challenge; time is short, and every Congress worker will have to work. Together, we must work with full strength,” she said.Mishra also highlighted the Congress’ focus on women’s empowerment, saying, “If there’s anyone who is the biggest example of ‘Beti Hun, Lad Sakti Hun’, it is me.”She recalled the party’s decision under Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s leadership to field 40% women candidates in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.“Before this, under Priyanka Gandhi’s leadership, we fielded 40% women candidates with tickets in the 2022 elections. It is evident today that the Congress Party has always worked for the empowerment of women,” she said.“We are ready for the 2027 elections, and the INDIA alliance will contest the elections with full strength. We will fight the elections with the entire alliance,” the newly appointed UP Congress chief said.
