New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) The Congress Working Committee (CWC) Saturday decisively resolved to launch a massive nationwide agitation starting January 5, 2026, to oppose the union Government’s decision to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Party President Mallikarjun Kharge announced the decision at a press conference after a crucial meeting held today, emphasising the party’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of rural workers.
“The Indian National Congress solemnly vows to lead a MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan from 5th January 2026. We will protest the repeal of MGNREGA at all costs,” Kharge said during a press briefing following the CWC meeting.
Jointly addressing the press conference, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the government’s move, stating, “The Prime Minister’s Office has decided to replace MGNREGA. This is a devastating attack on federalism. MGNREGA strengthened panchayats and empowered rural India. The government is snatching the poor’s right.”
Gandhi had earlier accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of harboring “a deep dislike” for the rights of poor citizens and had called MGNREGA the “living embodiment” of Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj, especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. “For ten years, this government has weakened it; now it aims to erase it completely,” he declared.
The CWC underscored that MGNREGA is not merely a government scheme but “the embodiment of the right to work envisioned by the Constitution of India.” The committee took a solemn pledge to collectively fight for the right to dignity, employment, and fair, timely compensation for India’s rural workers. It vowed to protect the demand-based employment model and uphold the autonomy of the gram sabha.
A significant point of contention is the government’s proposal to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA and convert the rights of workers into a government dole scheme. The Congress party views MGNREGA as a landmark achievement of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, providing a critical lifeline during crises such as the pandemic, the CWC resolved.
In preparation for this renewed campaign, Congress has announced plans for a village-level movement on its 141st Foundation Day on December 28, focusing on defending Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and protecting rural laborers’ rights.
This escalation follows the passing of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, in Parliament. While the government claims the new law will enhance rural employment by increasing guaranteed work days to 125, the opposition sees it as a strategic maneuver to dismantle the demand-driven right to work and centralize control.
Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal had earlier remarked, “Our struggle is not against an ordinary bill; it is a fight to defend a hard-won right that sustains millions’ survival, dignity, and hope.”
Key changes in the new NDA bill, besides dropping Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme, include:
Funding Shift: Transition from fully central funding to a 60:40 cost-sharing model with states (90:10 for Himalayan and Northeastern states).
Agricultural Pause: A mandatory 60-day halt on public works during peak agricultural seasons to prioritize farm labor, which Congress argues denies workers their legal employment rights.
Centralized Budgeting: Replacement of the demand-driven approach with normative allocations controlled by the Centre.
As the countdown begins to the agitation on January 5, Congress aims to mobilize rural workers and grassroots activists to defend what it calls a constitutional right and a vital socio-economic safeguard for millions across India.
