The opposition Congress held a large rally in Agartala, criticizing the BJP-led Central government for undermining the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Led by senior leaders, hundreds of Congress supporters carrying party flags marched from Swami Vivekananda Maidan. The rally towards Lok Bhavan (Governor’s house) was halted by police near the Buddhamandir areas amidst tight security.
Senior Congress figures like state president Asish Kumar Saha, former minister Sudip Roy Barman, and MLA Birajit Sinha lambasted the Centre for what they see as a deliberate weakening of MGNREGA. Roy Barman, a Congress working committee member, emphasized the significance of MGNREGA, calling it a landmark scheme initiated by the UPA government in 2005. He criticized the reduction of citizens’ rights to demand employment under the program, highlighting the increased challenges in accessing work opportunities.
The leaders expressed concerns over the diminishing financial and planning authority of Panchayats and the new requirement for states to bear up to 40% of the expenses, particularly affecting economically weaker states. Roy Barman pointed out that failure to meet these financial obligations results in rural communities suffering, with MGNREGA beneficiaries losing out on livelihood prospects. The Congress delegation presented a memorandum to the Governor, urging the proper enforcement of the Act.
Amidst the political tensions ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) election, Roy Barman criticized the BJP-TMP alliance’s focus on the Kokborok Roman script issue as a distraction from governance challenges. He reiterated Congress’s support for the Roman script for Kokborok, asserting indigenous communities’ right to choose their script. Roy Barman accused the politicization of cultural matters, diverting attention from pressing issues like unemployment and social welfare.
Congress leaders highlighted the overshadowing of crucial topics such as rural employment and social security by political theatrics in the lead-up to the TTAADC polls. Subsequently, a 6-member delegation met with Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu at Lok Bhavan, submitting a memorandum outlining their grievances. The Congress demanded the repeal of the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Act, 2025).
