Bouquets, shoes fly as Ajay Rai, Mamta Chaudhary factions clash at Congress event

A clash broke out between supporters of former Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai and Mamta Chaudhary, the Congress women’s state president, at the party headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday.The incident occurred during a programme marking the assumption of charge by newly appointed state Congress president Aradhana Mishra and working president Imran Masood.The dispute escalated into a confrontation between the two groups, with Ajay Rai’s supporters raising slogans and protesting with shoes in their hands.There were also reports of a scuffle and shoes being thrown during the altercation. According to eyewitnesses, Rai arrived at the Congress office with his supporters while the programme was underway.As the crowd gathered at the venue, Rai’s supporters reportedly asked people to make way, saying, “The president is coming, please clear the way.” Mamta Chaudhary’s side reportedly responded by asking, “Which president?”The exchange triggered an argument that soon escalated into a confrontation between the two groups.AJAY RAI SEEKS ACTION AGAINST MAMTA CHAUDHARYFollowing the incident, Rai raised the matter with senior Congress leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari, newly appointed state president Aradhana Mishra and working president Imran Masood.Rai accused those involved of damaging the party’s image and said their presence would adversely affect the atmosphere within the organisation. He demanded that Mamta Chaudhary be expelled from the party.According to sources, Rai was assured that the matter would be looked into and appropriate action would be taken.The confrontation took place during an organisational event marking the formal assumption of charge by Mishra and Masood. The reported altercation drew attention away from the leadership transition, with allegations of abusive language and a subsequent physical confrontation adding to tensions at the party headquarters.Eyewitnesses said the argument developed into a scuffle between the two groups. Reports of shoes being thrown also emerged, although further details about the extent of the clash were not immediately available.The Congress leadership is yet to announce any formal action in response to Rai’s demand for Mamta Chaudhary’s removal from the party.- Ends