Rahul Gandhi's Crusade to Preserve MGNREGA Amid Controversy

Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi for replacing MGNREGA with a new law, alleging power centralization and erosion of worker rights. The opposition claims this move undermines democracy and supports industrialists. A nationwide Congress campaign, MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, aims to restore the original law.

In a vociferous attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the administration of seeking to centralize power and erode the protective measures for India's poorest citizens. At the crux of his critique is the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill passed in December 2025.

Addressing party workers in Raebareli, Gandhi argued that the new legislation, which guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment annually, insults Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and places undue financial strain on states. He further alleged that the BJP-led Centre aims to divest the laborers of their rights in favor of industrial tycoons such as Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani.

As a rebuttal, the Congress has initiated the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram', a nationwide protest campaign demanding the reinstatement of the original law. The party contends that the current government's actions compromise the foundational tenets of democracy and labor security, urging for local control of financial decisions to preserve the essence of MGNREGA.

(With inputs from agencies.)