Accusing the BJP-led Union government of “dismantling” the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and replacing it with a new framework that alters the rights-based employment guarantee, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said MGNREGA was repealed out of “allergy” to Mahatma Gandhi’s name.
“The Centre has scrapped MGNREGA and brought in a new law called VB-G RAM G. Gandhiji’s name itself causes them an allergy,” he said, calling for a sustained, people-led mass movement from the village to the State level until the new Act is withdrawn.
Addressing a Congress preparatory meeting for the “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” campaign in Bengaluru, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the earlier law enabled rural workers to demand work and wages, and noted that 12.16 crore workers — including 6.21 crore women — had been employed under MGNREGA since its inception during the UPA era. He alleged that the new framework shifted financial burdens to States and diluted panchayat-level planning.
Pointing out that the issue was discussed at the recent All India Congress Committee (AICC) executive committee meeting, he said a sustained movement on the lines of farmers’ protest was needed to force changes in laws. The State Cabinet will discuss convening a two-day special session of the legislature to debate the impact of the new law and adopt a resolution, he said.
“Earlier, rural workers could demand work for up to 365 days in their own villages and even approach courts if work was denied. Now, the Centre decides through notifications where people should work. This is not Dasharatha Ram or Sita Ram or Kaushalya Ram. This is Nathuram — the one who killed Gandhiji,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar said the new funding ratio and centralised approval of works would reduce the role of panchayats and increase the burden on States. “If the Centre is going to decide everything about the works, what will the panchayats do? They killed Gandhiji then and now they are killing his legacy,” he said.
The Congress will conduct a phased agitation beginning on January 26 with padyatras of 5 to 10 km in all Assembly constituencies, culminating in memorandum submissions at taluk offices demanding restoration of MGNREGA. Mr. Shivakumar announced that he would personally join padyatras in four to five locations, including Shikaripur.
Apart from MGNREGA, the meeting also served as a platform to issue organisational instructions ahead of local body elections. The party asked district and taluk units to prepare for polls to municipal corporations, zilla, taluk, and gram panchayats over the next four to five months, following recent Supreme Court directions to ensure timely local body elections.
Mr. Shivakumar asked party workers to remain vigilant during the forthcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR), calling it “decisive for future elections”. The meeting also reviewed signature campaigns, district tours, and appointment of observers.
Curated by Aisha Patel
