Between Loyalty and Disappointment: A Congress Worker’s Honest Question to Her Party

The recent restructuring of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has not gone down smoothly for all. While the Congress high command on July 6, 2025, approved the constitution of a new Political Affairs Committee and announced new office bearers and District Congress Committee presidents, murmurs of discontent have surfaced from within the party ranks—one of the most telling being from Silchar, Barak Valley.

Naiwritaa Joy Shukla, a committed Congress worker and grassroots Dalit leader from Silchar, has become an inadvertent voice of that discontent. Not through rebellion or rebellion-masquerading-as-ambition, but through a heartfelt question—asked not in defiance, but in loyalty.

In a video message circulated on social media, Shukla addressed what she described as "deep hurt" after her name was excluded from the newly released list of APCC office bearers. Her anguish, however, was quickly misrepresented by certain media outlets, which claimed she had made negative comments against APCC President Gaurav Gogoi.

Shukla was quick to clarify.

“I was deeply hurt after I found that my name was not included in the list,” she said, her voice trembling not with anger, but emotion. “This is not about a position—it’s about years of silent service, street-level mobilization, and an unwavering faith in the Congress ideology. We are connected to the party not for power but for the values it represents.”

Her video was not a rant, nor was it a demand for entitlement. Rather, it was a rare moment of transparency from a party foot soldier asking the leadership to listen. “I took to social media to ask a question to the party, expressing the pain I have felt. It was never targeted personally at Gaurav Gogoi. I asked—what was my mistake, and where did we go wrong?”

In Assam's rough and tumble politics, such introspection is uncommon. More often, disagreements manifest as resignations, switches to rival parties, or bitter press conferences. But Shukla's statement stood out—measured, sincere, and rooted in a desire to remain within the party fold.

“I am just a simple worker,” she said humbly. “I cannot compete with a leader like Gaurav Gogoi. I never tried to.”

Her concerns, it seems, did not fall on deaf ears. Within 48 hours of the controversy, the party reportedly reached out to her, which she acknowledged with gratitude. “I was happy that the party addressed my issue. It gave me some peace that the Congress still values the voice of a loyal and dedicated Dalit worker like me.”

Still, Shukla had one final request—for the media. “Please do not use my private pictures and videos for your stories. Let my work and ethics speak for me—not visuals taken without consent.”

Her story is not unique, but the grace with which she chose to express her disappointment is. In an age where political disagreements quickly spiral into media spectacle or opportunism, Shukla's quiet appeal reflects a deeper tension inside many political organizations—between those who serve and those who are seen.

The Congress in Assam, much like its national counterpart, is attempting a slow revival. But such revival cannot only come from top-down changes. It must also be built on acknowledging the work of ground-level activists who carry the party in towns, villages, and mohallas—not just during elections but throughout the year.

What Naiwritaa Joy Shukla has reminded the Congress—perhaps unintentionally—is that internal democracy is not just about reshuffles and committees. It's about listening. It’s about recognising pain when it’s not shouted, but spoken softly.

In her voice, we hear a question that many loyal party workers may want to ask but rarely do: Is there space in this new Congress for old loyalty without noise?

That’s a question the leadership would do well to answer—not just for Shukla, but for many like her.

This piece reflects the views and sentiments expressed by Congress member Naiwritaa Joy Shukla and aims to highlight the importance of inclusive internal politics within party structures.

Also Read: Gaurav Gogoi Explodes: “CM is Acting Like a Real Estate Broker”