New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Union government of dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and betraying millions of poor and vulnerable citizens across the country. Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi, Kharge described the alleged scrapping of the scheme as an “insult to Mahatma Gandhi” and called for a nationwide mass movement to protect rural livelihoods.
In his opening remarks, Kharge claimed that the Modi government had abolished what he described as the United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) “visionary programme” without any study, evaluation, or consultation with states and political parties. He alleged that the move followed the same approach adopted by the Centre while introducing the now-repealed farm laws.
‘Stabbed the poor in the back’
Using strong language, the Congress chief said the decision had pushed crores of poor people into insecurity. “After kicking the poor in the stomach, the Modi government has stabbed them in the back. Abolishing MGNREGA is an insult to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi,” Kharge said.
He alleged that the government had replaced MGNREGA with a new law, which he referred to as the “V B-G RAM G Act”, without adequate public debate. According to Kharge, such unilateral decisions undermine federalism and democratic processes.
Role of MGNREGA in rural transformation
Kharge underlined the role played by MGNREGA in transforming rural India since its introduction in 2006. He said the scheme helped curb distress migration, provided a safety net during droughts, and reduced hunger and exploitation in villages.
“Today, there is an entire generation in India that escaped poverty because of MGNREGA — a generation that reached schools, became educated, and is living with dignity,” he said. He added that the programme gave Dalits, Adivasis, women, and landless labourers confidence that the government stood with them in their fight against poverty.
Accusing the Modi government of prioritising the interests of big corporates, Kharge said the alleged rollback of MGNREGA reflected a policy approach focused on profits rather than people.
Call for nationwide agitation
Calling for collective resistance, Kharge urged party workers to prepare a concrete plan to defend MGNREGA and mobilise people across the country. “Over the last 76 years, the Constitution has taught citizens that no dictator can snatch away their rights. It is our responsibility to build a nationwide movement. We will win this battle,” he said.
He recalled earlier instances where public pressure forced the government to retreat, including protests against amendments to the land acquisition law in 2015 and the mass agitation against the three farm laws.
Organisational strengthening and election roadmap
On organisational matters, Kharge said the process of appointing new district Congress presidents had been completed in nearly 500 districts. The remaining districts, he said, would be covered within the next 120 days.
However, he stressed that appointments alone were not enough. “We must make the organisation active, accountable, and combative at the state, district, block, mandal, and booth levels,” he told party leaders.
Looking ahead, Kharge highlighted upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, scheduled for April–May 2026. He said preparations were already underway and that the Congress would contest the polls in unity. He also urged party workers to begin groundwork for the 2027 elections.
Allegations on electoral processes
Kharge also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging it was a “well-thought-out conspiracy” to restrict democratic rights. He accused the BJP and the Election Commission of collusion and warned that the names of poor and marginalised communities could be removed from voter lists.
“We must ensure that names of Dalits, Adivasis, Extremely Backward Classes, and minorities are not deleted or shifted to other booths,” he said, asking booth-level agents to go door to door with voter lists.
Conclusion
Kharge’s remarks signal an aggressive political posture by the Congress, with MGNREGA emerging as a key rallying point ahead of crucial elections. By framing the issue as one of constitutional values, rural livelihoods, and democratic rights, the party appears poised to mount sustained opposition to the Centre’s policies in the coming months.