As the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh continues to shift, Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief is sharply poised to discuss the Congress party's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the challenges ahead, and its strategy for the crucial 2027 assembly elections.

A five-time MLA, Rai has been a formidable voice in Varanasi, contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2014, 2019, and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In this conversation with The Wire, Rai reflects on the organisational hurdles facing the Congress, and the party’s roadmap to strengthen its grassroots presence and challenge the BJP’s dominance in the 2027 assembly polls. Excerpts follow.

How is the Uttar Pradesh Congress preparing for the 2027 elections?

We're making really good preparations, and the work to strengthen our organisation is underway. Recently, we held a workshop to boost organisation and strengthening, which was attended by our state co-ordinators, district and city presidents, and other members. Our respected in-charge Avinash Pandey ji, Minority Congress chairman Imran Pratapgarhi ji, OBC chairman Anil Jaihind ji, and Women Congress president Alka Lamba ji, along with other senior leaders, were present. I believe we have set a 100-day target, and within that timeframe, we'll be able to create and strengthen our organisation across the state.

What do you think were the key factors that influenced the results in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

See, today the main factors are unemployment, inflation, corruption, and the atrocities committed by the BJP government. The law and order situation has completely deteriorated. There are fake encounters. Temples are being bulldozed, mosques are being bulldozed, homes are being bulldozed, and anyone who opposes this government is met with bulldozers. A mahant's house was recently burgled in Varanasi, and the videos of the subsequent action that surfaced on social media spoke of a completely scripted atmosphere.

The people are fed up with this government and want change. The 2024 elections showed a glimpse of this, and in 2027, we'll definitely change the government.

You've fought three elections against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What has your experience been like?

Varanasi is my home, my family, and my land. I was born in the same Kashi, and I'm a son of the Ganges. I'm not an outsider who came from somewhere else. This is my land, and I've been an MLA from here five times. Modi ji came from outside and made big promises, and became a fake son of the Ganga. Certainly, our people and our Kashi family stand with me.

You saw that Modi ji was trailing up to the seventh round of counting. Certainly, the love and blessings of the people there are with me.

What was your experience like working with the Samajwadi Party in the alliance? Will this alliance continue till 2027?

In the Lok Sabha elections, we fought alongside the Samajwadi Party, together, shoulder-to-shoulder. Our workers gave their all to get SP candidates elected. Wherever SP candidates contested, our workers put in effort and hard work. 

For 2027, we're strengthening our organisation in all 403 legislative assemblies. The national leadership will decide but our preparation is focused on all 403 assemblies, and with the strength of organisation, we're moving forward.

Will there be any new alliances or adjustments in 2027?

That's for the national leadership to decide. Our responsibility is to work in all 403 assembly constituencies and strengthen our organisation. We'll work hard, and the leadership will decide on alliances and the inclusion of any independents.

How do you see the role of the Bahujan Samaj Party and Mayawati as opposition in the state?

The Bahujan Samaj Party had a good opportunity to work, but when they had to do good work, they couldn't. They couldn't take decisions in the interest of the common people. Instead, they focused only on earning money.

You can see today...The BSP office is right next to ours, and you can see that the Dalit people who come there don't even get a place to sit. My office door is open, and you can see people sitting here. Raj Bahadur ji, a Dalit leader who worked with Kanshi Ram ji to build the BSP, is now working with us. We have given him a key position, made him in-charge of an entire programme, and given him key responsibilities for the whole state. The Dalit community is joining us, and we're giving them complete respect. The Congress party's door is open for Dalit people. Mayawati ji only took votes from Dalits but worked for the wealthy, not Dalits.

Will the exodus of leaders from Congress continue? The party is grappling with a concerning trend of stalwarts bidding adieu. The likes of Vijendra Singh and Ajay Kapoor left immediately before the Lok Sabha elections. And now, there are whispers of Shashi Tharoor's potential departure.

Those who truly love the nation, who are concerned about the country's inflation, unemployment, corruption, and the BJP's hypocrisy and lies, will understand the gravity of the situation. The BJP is indulging in blatant hypocrisy, and now, with Modi ji's actions, it's clear that they're more interested in playing politics than serving the people.

Those who are leaving Congress don't have the nation's well-being at heart; they lack love for the country, society, and its people. They're opportunists who care only about their own interests. Look at the state of unemployment, inflation, corruption, and law and order in the state – it's deteriorating everywhere. They are just opportunist leaders, they don’t care about the interest of the country.

What are your views on the current political situation in India, especially with regard to the BJP's dominance?

The current atmosphere is one of widespread discontent among the general public towards the Bharatiya Janata Party. They're organizing a Tiranga Yatra (flag march) with loud music and songs, but is this really fitting? On one hand, our soldiers are making the ultimate sacrifice, and just recently, 26 people lost their lives in Pahalgam. Instead of showing respect and solemnity, the BJP is celebrating with loud music. This is only fueling public discontent and anger towards the party. It's clear that the BJP is only staging this event for votes, using teachers, Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers to gather crowds. The public is watching and is undoubtedly unhappy and upset about this display.

The BJP is saying that despite winning with such a huge margin from Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi has not been active as an MP.

Rahul ji is very active. In Rae Bareli, the jobs, businesses, and factories that people have got, whose achievement is that? It's because of the Gandhi family. He recently stayed there for two days. He's completely active. Ask Modi ji how many times he's visited Varanasi recently? Is he visiting at all? Earlier, he used to visit frequently, but since he lost by seven rounds, he's forgotten Varanasi. When he did visit recently, he held a programme on the outskirts, on the ring road, and didn't even enter the city. Now he's lost his steam because the people have woken up. Instead of pointing fingers at others, it's better to look at one's own house first.

What are the most important issues for the people of Varanasi, and how can the city's cultural and historical heritage be preserved?

All the cultural and spiritual places were destroyed by Modi ji. In the city of Baba Vishwanath, all the ancient temples were demolished in the name of the corridor. The Vat Vriksha (sacred fig tree) was cut down. Soon, it will be the Savitri Vrat (a fast observed by women), but the Vat Vriksha is gone.

In Prayagraj, you take photos in front of the Akshayavat Vriksha, but in Varanasi, the Akshayavat Vriksha was cut down. Where did it go, Modi ji? The people of Varanasi want to know.

I fought the election, and I want to know where the Akshayavat Vriksha of Varanasi went. Where did the Saraswati ji temple established by Adi Shankaracharya ji go? Where did the Lakshmi Narayan temple, which was part of the Baba Vishwanath temple complex, go?

All the cultural and spiritual things are now destroyed. You've put jetties on the Ganga, and the entire river's water is now polluted. You've stopped the natural flow of the water. They are turning Varanasi into a commercial hub. I just want to say that let Varanasi remain Varanasi; you've ruined its essence. The people are watching, and that's why Modi ji was trailing upto the seventh round. This time, the people will completely reject the BJP in the 2027.

How can political parties work together at difficult times?

When the recent attack in Pahalgam occurred, and the country was facing a difficult situation, and all political parties came together to support the government. In the Congress Working Committee (CWC), it was made clear that the Congress party would stand with the government and provide full support. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party is only trying to gain political mileage from it. In such critical situations, all political parties are naturally united in support. But Modi ji didn't attend either of the two all-party meetings. Why?

On the other hand, the Congress party is committed to working with other parties in times of crisis.

Your comment on Rafale jets after the Pahalgam attack created some controversies, how do you see it?

I was just highlighting the irony of the situation. When Rajnath Singh ji went to receive the Rafale jets, he performed a ritual with lemons and chilies. I just pointed out that the planes are still sitting in hangars, and the Army is yet to get to them.

What do you think is the reason for the Congress party's current situation in the state, especially after being pushed to fourth place in terms of vote share in Uttar Pradesh? You fought the 2024 elections in an alliance.

You can see where we stand from the 2024 vote share. We fought the elections in alliance, that's fine, but here in Varanasi, Modi ji kept trailing until the seventh round, didn't he? So, the common people are supporting us.

The Congress party's situation is no longer the same as it was before. Forget about the past; now the people's support and love are with us. The people are openly supporting me and the Congress party, and they're following the path shown by Rahul Gandhi ji. He raised the issue of the constitution, the rights of Dalits, reservation, and the atrocities committed against minorities, especially Muslims. Now, you can see that in border areas, madrasas and mosques are being demolished. I visited Kushinagar, where mosques were being demolished. The honourable Supreme Court has also given a verdict on this matter. So, people from all walks of life are coming together with the Congress party. People have faith in our leaders, Rahul ji and Priyanka ji, and they're joining the party.

Kharge ji, our greatest leader from the Dalit community, is being supported by the entire Dalit society, backward classes, and everyone else.

Who do you think deserves the credit for the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, Rahul Gandhi or Akhilesh Yadav?

Rahul ji should be given direct credit. The issue he raised had a significant impact, and wherever he went, he held the constitution in his hands, creating a nationwide atmosphere. When Modi ji went to parliament after the elections, he showed respect to the constitution by touching it to his forehead before taking the oath. This is entirely thanks to Rahul Gandhi's efforts.

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