‘They Abused My Mother and Sister’: Mamta Chaudhary Accuses Ajay Rai After Clash at UP Congress Office

Lucknow: A controversy erupted at the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters on Mall Avenue in Lucknow on Sunday after a scuffle broke out between supporters of former state Congress president Ajay Rai and Mahila Congress leader Mamta Chaudhary. The incident occurred during a ceremony marking the assumption of office by newly appointed state president Aradhana Mishra, popularly known as Mona.

Following the confrontation, Mamta Chaudhary came forward to present her account of the incident, alleging verbal abuse and misconduct by Rai and his associates. Speaking to Aaj Tak, she described the episode as anti-Dalit, saying, “I am a Dalit, and what happened was an anti-Dalit incident.”

Mamta Chaudhary Alleges Verbal Abuse, Threats
Mamta alleged that she was subjected to abusive language involving her mother and sister and that some people called for her to be beaten. She said she would raise the matter with the party leadership and lodge a complaint with Rahul Gandhi.

Accusing Ajay Rai of being anti-Dalit and having an aggressive temperament, Mamta claimed that his associates behaved in an intimidating manner during the confrontation. She also questioned why Congress leader Imran Masood was allegedly pushed amid the commotion.

According to reports, the dispute began when Rai arrived at the party headquarters with his supporters. Mamta allegedly remarked that his presence was unwelcome, triggering an angry exchange between the two sides. The verbal confrontation subsequently escalated into a physical scuffle. However, Mamta disputed aspects of this account, maintaining that she had merely expressed her personal reluctance to see Rai and that other claims attributed to her were false.

‘Men on One Side, Women on the Other’: Mamta Recounts Incident
Recounting the events, Mamta said she and other Mahila Congress members had gathered at the headquarters to welcome Aradhana Mishra-Mona. She claimed that the women were asked to move aside to make way for the arriving leaders and that she was speaking with other women when the confrontation began.

According to Mamta, Rai suddenly turned towards her and allegedly shouted, “Stay within your limits!” She further alleged that some of his associates began aggressively questioning the women about what had been said, with slippers and shoes being brandished and people being attacked.

Mamta insisted that the episode should not be portrayed as a clash between rival political factions. Instead, she described it as a confrontation in which men allegedly acted aggressively towards women. She also claimed that she had not been looking in Rai’s direction when he arrived and questioned the allegations that she had provoked the confrontation.

Mamta Plans to Approach Rahul Gandhi
Mamta said the Mahila Congress leadership intends to take up the matter with Rahul Gandhi and seek action over the alleged conduct of Rai and his associates. She reiterated her accusation that Rai had displayed hostility towards Dalits in the past, though the allegation remains her personal claim.

The incident has sparked controversy within the Uttar Pradesh Congress, raising questions about internal tensions and the conduct of party workers at an important organisational event. The allegations made by Mamta Chaudhary have not, by themselves, established responsibility for the altercation. A complete account would require the responses of Ajay Rai and other people involved, along with any available video evidence and the party’s findings.