Congress bets on dalit face in UP (Img-Pinterest)
Lucknow: Out of power in Uttar Pradesh for more than three decades, the Congress has begun reshaping its strategy for the 2027 Assembly elections. In a major organisational move, the party has appointed Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam as its new Uttar Pradesh in-charge, replacing Avinash Pande.
Gautam, who currently heads the Congress’ Scheduled Caste wing, is known for his Ambedkarite politics and strong advocacy of social justice. His appointment is being seen as a clear attempt by the Congress to reconnect with Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh, where caste equations are expected to play a decisive role in the next Assembly polls.
The move is also significant because the Congress has appointed a Dalit leader as UP in-charge after nearly three decades. Senior leader Sushil Kumar Shinde was the last prominent Dalit face to be given charge of Uttar Pradesh in the 1990s. Since then, the post has largely remained with upper-caste or Muslim leaders.
Rajendra Pal Gautam has had a long political journey across parties. He earlier worked with BSP founder Kanshi Ram, later joined the Aam Aadmi Party and served as a minister in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government. He joined the Congress after leaving AAP and was later entrusted with the responsibility of leading the party’s SC wing.
By giving Gautam charge of Uttar Pradesh, the Congress leadership appears to be sending a political message ahead of 2027. The party has been consistently attacking the BJP over issues linked to reservation, the Constitution and Dalit rights. Gautam’s elevation fits into this broader strategy.
Avinash Pande had taken over as UP in-charge after Priyanka Gandhi. During his tenure, the Congress contested the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and managed to win six seats in Uttar Pradesh. However, party insiders believe that Pande was not able to sufficiently energise the organisation on the ground ahead of the Assembly elections.
There were also reports of weak coordination between Pande and regional party leaders. With the 2027 elections approaching, the Congress high command has now turned to Gautam, who is considered more assertive on social justice issues and has experience in mobilising Dalit and minority groups.
Gautam had recently made headlines after he visited BSP chief Mayawati’s Mall Avenue residence along with Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia. Although Mayawati did not meet them, the visit triggered speculation about a possible Congress-BSP understanding ahead of the Assembly elections.
At the time, Gautam had said that Mayawati was the tallest leader of his community and that people wanted to know about her health and well-being. However, after his appointment as UP in-charge, that visit is now being viewed in political circles as part of a larger strategy.
A section within the Congress believes that an alliance with the BSP could prove more beneficial for the party than continuing with the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly elections. However, Mayawati has repeatedly maintained that the BSP will contest elections independently and will not enter into any alliance.
Gautam’s appointment has also intensified speculation over a possible change in the Uttar Pradesh Congress leadership. Current state president Ajay Rai belongs to the Bhumihar community. There is talk that the party may try to strike a broader caste balance by considering names such as Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’, Rakesh Rathore or Imran Masood for key organisational roles.
With OBC and Dalit politics at the centre of Uttar Pradesh’s electoral battlefield, the Congress is trying to reposition itself beyond its traditional support base. The appointment of Rajendra Pal Gautam indicates that the party wants to revive its social justice narrative and regain lost ground among Dalit voters before the 2027 Assembly elections.
For the Congress, which has remained on the margins of UP politics for decades, Gautam’s appointment is not merely an organisational change but a calculated political signal.
