Congress' Uttar Pradesh President Aradhana 'Mona' Misra on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been left 'frustrated' by the INDIA bloc's 'historic' rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, calling it unprecedented that a ruling party is now staging street protests against an opposition movement. Her remarks came hours after BJP national chief Nitin Nabin and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the party's 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' padyatra in Gorakhpur.

What Triggered the BJP Counter-Rally

The BJP has been rolling out its 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' rallies across multiple states in direct response to the INDIA bloc's nationwide protests targeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. The opposition's 'Dilli Chalo' march, which culminated at Ramlila Maidan, drew large crowds and gave the INDIA bloc considerable political momentum, prompting the ruling party to mount its own counter-mobilisation.

What UP Congress Chief Said

'I think this must be the first time that the ruling party is taking to the streets in protest against the opposition. This also reflects their frustration somewhere, the unrest that has stirred within the BJP after the historic rally at (Delhi's) Ramlila Maidan,' Misra said. She further claimed: 'Somewhere, it has compelled them to the point that today the ruling party itself is forced to hit the streets in agitation.'

Priyanka Gandhi Leads UP Poll Preparations

Separately, Misra spoke about a Congress meeting held in Delhi under the leadership of party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, focused on preparations for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. 'Yesterday's meeting was very important, in which we began preparations for our elections, and there was discussion on those election committees that are formed during the elections, such as the manifesto committee, management committee, coordination committee, media committee — there was extensive discussion on all of them, and it has been a very positive and energetic start,' Misra said.

According to party insiders, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to play a pivotal role in seat-sharing negotiations with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Notably, Priyanka Gandhi had led the Congress campaign in the 2022 UP Assembly polls, when the party fought alone and managed to win only two seats. A meeting with UP Congress leaders on seat allocation was also reportedly held the previous month.

Congress Signals Stronger UP Push This Time

Misra struck a confident tone about the party's electoral ambitions, asserting: 'We will go into the polls strongly, not just for contesting but also to win and form government.' The statement signals a shift from the Congress's low-key stance in recent UP election cycles, where alliance arithmetic — rather than a solo push — defined the party's approach.

With the INDIA bloc consolidating around the CEC controversy and BJP seeking to reframe the narrative around democratic stability, Uttar Pradesh — the country's most electorally significant state — is shaping up as a key theatre for both sides ahead of the next Assembly election.