‘We The Chhotu’: NSUI leaders upset over Neha Bora’s prominence alongside Rahul Gandhi

According to NDTV, the name was changed after NSUI members questioned why a leader from a rival student organisation was receiving the spotlight while their own members were mobilising crowds and working on the ground during opposition protests.

The WhatsApp group's name was reportedly restored only after NSUI office-bearers met Rahul Gandhi and discussed their grievances, sources told the news outlet.

Neha Bora shares spotlight with Rahul Gandhi

The discontent reportedly intensified during the October 12 march by INDIA bloc leaders towards the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities.

Bora was among two women walking at the front alongside Rahul Gandhi, with the other being his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Bora was also seen alongside senior opposition leaders on a bus and later on a truck during the protest.

NSUI president Vinod Jakhar and other office-bearers were also present at the demonstration.

However, sources told NDTV that NSUI members were unhappy that Bora had emerged as one of the most visible faces of the agitation despite their organisation's efforts in mobilising protesters.

The reported disagreement highlights the rivalry between NSUI and AISA, which compete in student union elections at several universities, despite their respective political affiliations sometimes overlapping at the INDIA bloc level.

‘Are we only here to gather crowds?’

After the Supreme Court march, NSUI office-bearers reportedly began questioning the organisation's role in a WhatsApp group named ‘Delhi Coordination’.

One member changed the group's name to ‘WE THE Chhotu’, using the Hindi term chhotu to suggest that NSUI workers were being treated as junior members or errand-runners rather than leaders.

According to NDTV, messages posted in the group reflected frustration over the lack of recognition for NSUI members.

One message reportedly asked, “Are we only here to gather crowds?”

Another questioned why no NSUI member had emerged as a prominent leader in the eyes of either Congress leaders or the public, despite their work for the party.

A separate message praised Bora as a remarkable leader but expressed displeasure over her central role during the protest, particularly when the crowd had been mobilised by NSUI workers.

Earlier unease over Bora’s rise

Bora's growing visibility had reportedly caused discomfort among some NSUI leaders even before the Supreme Court march.

She had attracted attention during the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation over alleged examination paper leaks, which included a prolonged hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and was followed by a change in the education minister.

Bora subsequently met Rahul Gandhi at his residence at 10 Janpath, and the two held a joint press conference.

The Congress and Left organisations have often worked together despite competing politically in states such as Kerala.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, AISA's parent organisation, is also part of the INDIA bloc.

However, cooperation between the parties at the national level has not eliminated competition between their student organisations.

Rahul Gandhi meets upset NSUI leaders

The reported resentment continued after Rahul Gandhi invited INDIA bloc MPs, social activists and select student leaders, including Bora, to tea at his residence on October 13.

The meeting followed a series of attempted marches to the Election Commission, Jantar Mantar, Rajghat, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Supreme Court. Rahul Gandhi thanked the participants, and Bora was subsequently given an opportunity to speak at a press conference.

Her continued presence alongside Rahul Gandhi reportedly intensified questions among NSUI and Youth Congress workers about their own visibility and recognition.

Sources told NDTV that the Congress leadership was informed of the discontent and that a meeting with Rahul Gandhi was arranged to address the concerns. Coordinator Kanhaiya Kumar was also present, according to the report.

The NSUI WhatsApp group's name was reportedly changed back after the meeting, ending the three-day episode.

NSUI president denies resentment

Despite the reported tensions, no one raised the Bora issue directly with Rahul Gandhi during the meeting, sources told NDTV.

An NSUI office-bearer reportedly said the meeting with their leader had eased their frustration, adding that the organisation would continue fighting the BJP and RSS under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

Interestingly, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reportedly praised a campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar initiated by NSUI office-bearer Akhilesh Yadav, who was also said to have renamed the WhatsApp group.

Congress Seva Dal chief BV Srinivas was also praised for helping clean up the protest sites.

NSUI president Vinod Jakhar denied that the organisation was resentful over Bora's prominence.

Congress media in-charge Pawan Khera said the Congress provides a platform to every voice that raises people's concerns.