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From Brahmin-Muslim arithmetic to seat-sharing talks with the SP, the appointments reveal the multiple calculations shaping Congress’s UP strategy for 2027.
Aradhana Mishra appointed new UP Congress Chief, Imran Masood Working President.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has worked to set its house in order, but with an eye on political and caste combinations. Two names stand out — state president Aradhana Mishra and working president Imran Masood. It is unusual to have both a president and a working president, but the Congress has a plan.
Father’s Daughter
Aradhana Mishra was always the clear and obvious inheritor of her father Pramod Tiwari’s political legacy. Considered to be a don of Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Pramod Tiwari has withstood the Modi-Yogi juggernaut as well as the many new combinations within his own party.
It is believed that he secured a Rajya Sabha ticket after applying pressure on the top leadership, even threatening to leave the party. Tiwari is the quintessential old-style politician who has friends across political parties and also manages to have his way. It is his smooth-talking and negotiating style that explains why he has managed to survive and remain in the good books of the Gandhis.
Aradhana, too, has endeared herself to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and has been her constant saathi in Uttar Pradesh. She played a key role in Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’ campaign, and her elevation now serves many purposes.
She is a Brahmin, and the Congress wants to woo the community, which accounts for about 19% of the vote. As a woman, she could also help the party reach out to women voters in Uttar Pradesh, who have been impressed by the BJP and voted for it in large numbers in the previous polls.
Imran Masood
Imran Masood has survived many controversies and was, in fact, arrested in 2014 for threatening PM Modi. He has often spoken and raised questions in a controversial manner, landing himself and, at times, his party in trouble.
But he comes from the Muslim community, and the Congress wants to tap into this vote bank, which accounts for about 19% of the electorate. He also questions the Samajwadi Party and demands a substantial number of seats for the Congress.
Good Cop, Bad Cop & Priyanka Stamp
But there appears to be careful thought behind choosing both leaders.
Pramod Tiwari and Aradhana Mishra are expected to be the more conciliatory voices when it comes to seat-sharing negotiations with the Samajwadi Party. Pramod Tiwari’s good equations and seniority, reflected in his daughter’s approach, could temper the acrimony that is natural during seat-sharing talks.
But appeasing the cadre and ensuring a respectable number of seats for the Congress could be something the party will bank on Masood for.
More significantly, both Masood and Aradhana are very close to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Does this mean an increased role for her once again when it comes to the Congress’s Uttar Pradesh plan? Will she be expected to push the woman card once again, even as the BJP uses its women leaders, such as Smriti Irani, to secure the women’s vote?
The Congress plans to use an Akhilesh-Rahul connect and a simple Priyanka connect to push its campaign, with Akhilesh being the lead player. But for now, these appointments are an attempt by the beleaguered party to pep up its cadre.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The Congress appointed Aradhana Mishra as state president and Imran Masood as working president to balance crucial caste and political combinations. Aradhana Mishra, a Brahmin and daughter of Pramod Tiwari, helps the party reach out to women and the 19% Brahmin vote bank, while Imran Masood taps into the 19% Muslim electorate and advocates for a strong seat share with the Samajwadi Party.
Ask News18About the Author
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. S…Read More
October 03, 2026, 15:33 IST
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