Clash over MGNREGA: Congress Protest in UP Highlights Emerging Political Rifts

Several Congress leaders and workers were detained during a protest march in Uttar Pradesh against the scrapping of MGNREGA, citing 'misgovernance.' The protest coincided with the state's Budget Session. The Congress claimed the government favors industrialists, while the BJP criticized Congress for opposing the new employment guarantee scheme.

On Tuesday, tensions flared in Uttar Pradesh as Congress leaders and workers were detained during a protest against the scrapping of MGNREGA, which they argue represents peak 'misgovernance.' The protest, branded under the 'MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan,' aimed to 'gherao' the Vidhan Bhavan but was thwarted by a heavy police presence.

Vice-chairman of the Congress's media department, Manish Hindvi, reported the protest saw participation from prominent figures like Avinash Pande and Ajay Rai. The forceful dispersal by police, including the Rapid Action Force, led to several arrests and prevented Congress MP Tanuj Punia from joining due to a house arrest.

The protest unfolded amid the Budget Session of the state Legislature, prompting extensive security measures. BJP's Manish Shukla condemned the Congress's opposition, suggesting the new scheme, VB-G RAM G, offers more to rural households despite opposition claims of the government's bias towards industrialists.

(With inputs from agencies.)