The Congress party has initiated a nationwide campaign in response to the government’s replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). Party president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the ‘Save MGNREGA Campaign’ after a Congress Working Committee meeting, emphasizing the protection of rural poor’s right to work.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reiterated the party’s commitment to MGNREGA during the meeting, stating that the campaign, starting on January 5, is crucial for defending the constitutional right to work for villagers and laborers. Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi criticized the new law, highlighting its impact on the poor, federalism, and the Gandhian legacy. They emphasized how MGNREGA had been instrumental in preventing migration, building infrastructure, and supporting communities during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Congress leaders expressed concerns over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the program, labeling it as an insult and an ideological move. They compared the situation to the farmers’ protest against agricultural laws, foreseeing public discontent over the altered funding structure and lack of stakeholder consultation. Rahul Gandhi condemned the changes as a detrimental assault by the Prime Minister, affecting employment opportunities, decentralized governance, and wage security.
The Congress Working Committee vowed to combat what they perceive as an attempt to diminish rights and promote charity instead. They emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional values and protecting the interests of rural communities against central government decisions. The party aims to garner support from across the country to safeguard the principles of democracy and rural empowerment.
