Congress Gets Major Political Boost Ahead of UP Elections, Actress Zara Khan and Former IAS Officer Dr. Rakesh Verma Join the Party

Date: September 9, 2026

Lucknow: Political activities have intensified in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. On Wednesday, South Indian film actress Zara Khan (Firdous Bano) and former 2013-batch IAS officer Dr. Rakesh Verma joined the Congress party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai at the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Lucknow.

Congress state president Ajay Rai welcomed both of them into the party and said that their joining would strengthen the organization. According to party leaders, ahead of the Assembly elections, the Congress is continuously working to expand its organization and strengthen its support base among the people.

Zara Khan, also known as Firdous Bano, has worked in South Indian films. Meanwhile, Dr. Rakesh Verma has served in the Indian Administrative Service, and his decision to join the Congress is being viewed as politically significant.

The Congress has said that more people from different fields may join the party in the coming days. The party leadership aims to strengthen its organization at the grassroots and booth levels and bring more people into the Congress ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The membership ceremony was held at the Uttar Pradesh Congress office in Lucknow and was attended by senior party leaders and workers.