Delhi | Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape appears poised for fresh movement as the Congress prepares to reassert itself ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Although the polls are still over a year away, political activity in the state has intensified, with the Congress signaling a renewed and sustained push through a series of proposed “thank-you rallies” across the state.
After remaining out of power in Uttar Pradesh for decades, the Congress has made its intent clear: it does not plan to treat the 2027 elections lightly. Party leaders believe the 2024 Lok Sabha elections provided a much-needed revival in the state. Contesting 17 parliamentary seats, the Congress won six and narrowly lost several others, with margins of just two to three percentage points in multiple constituencies, according to Election Commission data. This improved performance has boosted confidence within the party and reinforced the belief that a stronger organisational push could alter the political equation in 2027.
The proposed thank-you rallies are central to this strategy. The Congress plans to hold rallies in all Lok Sabha constituencies where it fielded candidates in 2024. Major events are being planned in traditional strongholds such as Rae Bareli and Amethi, as well as in Saharanpur, Barabanki, Sitapur and Prayagraj, where the party secured victories. Preparations are also underway in constituencies like Varanasi, Deoria, Bansgaon, Jhansi, Kanpur, Amroha, Fatehpur Sikri, Maharajganj, Mathura, Ghaziabad and Bulandshahr, where the party’s performance was considered encouraging.
According to party sources, the rally series is likely to begin after Makar Sankranti, with the first event expected around January 15. While the idea was conceived soon after the Lok Sabha results, organisational restructuring and strategic deliberations delayed its rollout. The party now views these rallies as the formal launch of its 2027 campaign.
Beyond expressing gratitude to voters, the rallies aim to re-energise a large base of dormant party workers. Internal assessments suggest that many Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh have remained inactive in recent years due to a lack of responsibility and direction. Through direct engagement at these rallies, the leadership hopes to rebuild morale, restore organisational discipline and prepare cadres for a long electoral battle.
The Congress secured nearly 18 per cent vote share in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—almost double its tally in 2019. Political observers see this rise as a key factor driving the party’s renewed confidence. Congress leaders believe that if this momentum is sustained and expanded at the grassroots level, the party could reach double digits in the Assembly in 2027.
Panchayat elections form another crucial pillar of the party’s strategy. The Congress leadership maintains that without a strong presence at the village, block and district levels, success in a large state like Uttar Pradesh is difficult. Accordingly, preparations for local body elections are expected to run parallel with the thank-you rallies, with a focus on strengthening the party’s rural footprint.
Analysts also suggest that the Congress’s renewed activism may be aimed at recalibrating its position vis-à-vis the Samajwadi Party. While the two parties were allies in 2024, tensions over seat-sharing were evident. By demonstrating organisational strength ahead of 2027, the Congress hopes to negotiate future alliances from a position of greater leverage.
Having been out of power in Uttar Pradesh since 1989, the 2027 Assembly elections represent a test of relevance and credibility for the Congress. Through these rallies, the party seeks to convey that it is no longer a seasonal electoral player but one prepared for sustained political engagement.
With the BJP firmly in power and the Samajwadi Party leading the opposition, the challenge before the Congress remains formidable. However, buoyed by its 2024 performance, the party believes the groundwork being laid now could help it reclaim a meaningful role in Uttar Pradesh’s politics. The coming months will determine whether the thank-you rallies translate into genuine grassroots revival or remain symbolic gestures as the 2027 battle slowly takes shape.
