Every time visuals of Rahul Gandhi interacting with coolies, cobblers, truck drivers, vegetable vendors, and others are broadcast across TV channels and social media, scores of karamcharis [secretarial staff] at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters at 24, Akbar Road watch with interest, enthusiasm, and a lingering question on their lips: “Rahul ji hamare paas kab aayenge?" [When will Rahul Gandhi pay a visit to them?]

Over 100 AICC staffers—full-timers, re-employed personnel, and temporary workers—are facing an uncertain future following the Indian National Congress’s decision to shift its headquarters from 24, Akbar Road to Indira Bhawan, Kotla Marg, New Delhi. While party officials, ranging from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to numerous general secretaries, secretaries, and departmental heads, have moved a mere 4.4 kilometres from Akbar Road to Kotla Marg, a significant psychological detachment has emerged between the top leadership and the workforce that has served the party since January 1978.

These karamcharis, who performed clerical duties and were attached to various AICC functionaries, offices, and departments, have not been asked to report to work at the new Indira Bhawan premises since 15 January 2025. There is no sign of a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), golden handshake, or any monetary compensation.

Some of these karamcharis, having worked with Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri,........

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