Shoes fly at UP Cong HQ as Ajay Rai supporters clash ahead of new prez’s takeover

LUCKNOW: Chaotic scenes unfolded at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) headquarters on Sunday as supporters of outgoing state president Ajay Rai clashed with a group associated with Congress councillor Mamta Chaudhary over clearing a passage for him. The confrontation triggered a heated exchange and a scuffle in which shoes were allegedly used.The confrontation occurred shortly before newly appointed UP Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ arrived to formally assume charge.According to party workers present at the venue, the dispute began when Rai's supporters asked people standing near the entrance to make way, saying the state president was arriving. Chaudhary allegedly responded by asking, "Which president?", provoking an argument between the two groups.The verbal confrontation soon escalated, with supporters from both sides allegedly attacking each other with shoes.