Karnataka Congress Leaders Rally Against Central Government Policies

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar criticized the central government over the National Herald case, expressing concerns about BJP's intentions. Congress leaders protested against renaming MGNREGA, seeing it as an undermining of Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy accused Congress of historically opposing Gandhi's principles.

On Wednesday, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar launched a scathing attack on the central government and the Enforcement Directorate regarding the National Herald case. Shivakumar asserted that the National Herald, established by Jawaharlal Nehru during the freedom movement, holds significant pride for the nation. Addressing reporters in Belagavi amid protests, he questioned why the FIR copy had not yet been provided to him, claiming damage to the Enforcement Directorate's reputation.

Karnataka Congress leaders gathered near the Gandhi statue at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, protesting against the central government's actions on the National Herald issue and its decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Congress accuses the BJP-led government of undermining Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and weakening an essential welfare program.

State Minister M B Patil highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's pivotal status as the Father of the Nation and described MGNREGA as a successful program generating local employment in rural India. He credited Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi for its initiation, criticizing the BJP's renaming move as an inability to accept its success. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, attacked the Congress, alleging a historical opposition to Gandhi. He argued that Gandhi had once advised Congress to dissolve, claiming the party opposed Gandhi's vision.

In a related legislative development, the Agriculture Minister introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha guaranteeing an increase from 100 to 125 days of wage employment per rural household for adults willing to perform unskilled manual work. This move further stirs the ongoing political discourse on rural employment and welfare schemes. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)