The Congress party has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Uttar Pradesh MLC elections to redirect its complete focus toward the 2027 Assembly elections. Despite nearly a year of preparations and candidate selections across multiple graduates and teachers constituencies, state leaders chose to step back. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Mishra confirmed the decision, which aims to avoid splitting votes and to strengthen the alliance with the Samajwadi Party. While this abrupt change has disappointed numerous local contenders who invested time and resources—leading some to run as independents—the leadership remains firm on its long-term electoral strategy.

The Congress party has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Uttar Pradesh MLC elections to redirect its complete focus toward the 2027 Assembly elections. Despite nearly a year of preparations and candidate selections across multiple graduates and teachers constituencies, state leaders chose to step back. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Mishra confirmed the decision, which aims to avoid splitting votes and to strengthen the alliance with the Samajwadi Party. While this abrupt change has disappointed numerous local contenders who invested time and resources—leading some to run as independents—the leadership remains firm on its long-term electoral strategy.

The Congress party has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Uttar Pradesh MLC elections to redirect its complete focus toward the 2027 Assembly elections. Despite nearly a year of preparations and candidate selections across multiple graduates and teachers constituencies, state leaders chose to step back. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Mishra confirmed the decision, which aims to avoid splitting votes and to strengthen the alliance with the Samajwadi Party. While this abrupt change has disappointed numerous local contenders who invested time and resources—leading some to run as independents—the leadership remains firm on its long-term electoral strategy.

After a year of preparations, the Congress has announced that it is backing out of contesting the upcoming MLC elections in Uttar Pradesh, slated to take place on October 23. Elections will be held to five Graduates’ constituencies — Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut and Allahabad-Jhansi — and six Teachers’ constituencies — Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Bareilly-Moradabad and Gorakhpur-Faizabad.

However, after a year of preparations, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Aradhana Mishra (Mona) announced the party was withdrawing from the elections to focus on the 2027 Assembly elections. Last month, the Congress had finalised potential candidates for several seats. Observers and coordinators were appointed, and a control room was also set up.

Many contenders began preparing for the elections nearly nine months in advance and began the work of compiling voter lists for these seats. They began their campaign well in advance because only registered graduates and teachers can vote in these seats, prompting early work to enrol eligible voters and expand their reach in their area.

“The party had decided not to contest the MLC elections, keeping the 2027 Assembly elections in mind. Our focus is entirely on the Assembly polls,” Misra told The Indian Express.

The decision came as a major disappointment to candidates preparing for the elections. Many have already dissented, stating they would contest the polls as independents. However, the Congress leadership is unbothered. “If those who had been preparing to contest wish to fight as independents, that is their decision. The party, however, has decided not to contest,” Misra added.

One of the Independents is Arvind Singh Patel, who filed nominations to contest from the Varanasi Graduate constituency as a Congress candidate. Patel filed his nomination on October 5. "I have filed my nomination. Congress leaders from Varanasi and surrounding districts are with me. I will not withdraw my nomination. I will contest the election as an independent. I have invested a lot of effort and money in preparing for this election," he said.

With the Congress party out of the race, the contest is now primarily between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP). But the presence of independent candidates could become a headache for the SP.

Real reason

While the Congress leadership cites the 2027 Assembly elections as the reason for the decision, some party leaders believe that the state Congress party prepared to contest the MLC elections without proper coordination with the central leadership.

The elections were also announced when the Uttar Pradesh Congress underwent an organisational reshuffle. According to party sources, there was not much time left for the elections. Therefore, the leadership ultimately decided that it would be better to leave the election to the Samajwadi Party, local media reports said.

Congress believes that avoiding a direct contest against the Samajwadi Party in the Legislative Council elections will strengthen the alliance between the two parties ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

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