Congress Kickstarts Caste Conventions in UP to Bolster Base Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections

Uttar Pradesh, Sep 30: The Congress has initiated a series of caste conventions across Uttar Pradesh as part of its strategy to rebuild its political base ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Party leaders say the initiative aims to reconnect with traditional supporters and expand its organizational presence at the grassroots level.

A senior Congress leader acknowledged the challenges, saying, “Reviving the Congress in the country’s largest electoral state is certainly not easy. In the post-Mandal Commission era, the party’s traditional vote base has shifted towards the Samajwadi Party, Mayawati’s BSP, and the BJP.”

The party has not had a chief minister in Uttar Pradesh since December 1989 and has been out of power for the past 36 years. Leaders admit that this prolonged absence has impacted the party’s resources and organizational strength in the state.

As part of its revival, Congress is strengthening its grassroots network by visiting weekly markets, local fairs, and meeting families of freedom fighters. Avinash Pandey, in charge of the party’s organizational expansion, stated that the program aims to create a five-tier party structure from the state level to polling station level, targeting 1.62 lakh booths and 19.78 lakh office-bearers.

The party considers the upcoming elections for 11 Legislative Council seats reserved for teachers and graduates as its first major test. The Panchayat elections in 2026 will serve as a critical rehearsal for the 2027 Assembly polls.

Reacting to the Congress’s plans, BJP state spokesperson Avnish Tyagi said, “Congress has no grassroots infrastructure. Their biggest problem in Uttar Pradesh is Rahul Gandhi. Therefore, given these two factors, I doubt their revival in Uttar Pradesh is possible.”