Cong sounds MGNREGA battle cry; nationwide stir from Jan 10-Feb 25
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday announced a nationwide ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ from January 10 to February 25 to demand the withdrawal of the VB G-RAM-G Act and the restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based law, ensuring the right to work and the authority of panchayats. Addressing a joint press conference, Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh said the new VB G-RAM-G Act centralises control, as “employment will no longer be a right under the new Act,” which will be challenged in court. On whether opposition-ruled states would implement or oppose the Act, Venugopal said consultations with alliance partners would be held to reach a consensus on the way forward. Ramesh claimed no BJP-ruled state is in a position to implement the law, which he said undermines the federal structure, a point Venugopal echoed, noting that states were not consulted despite potential financial disruptions. The Congress aims to defend the right to work, protect Panchayati Raj institutions, and support women workers, Dalits, Adivasis, and the rural poor by taking the issue to every village in the country. “Our clear demand is to withdraw the VB G-RAM-G Act and restore MGNREGA in its original, rights-based form, restoring people’s right to work and the authority of the panchayats,” Venugopal said.
The nationwide campaign will begin with district-level press conferences on January 10, followed by a day-long fast and symbolic protests at district headquarters on January 11. From January 12 to 29, panchayat-level chaupals and mass contact programmes will be organised, followed by ward-level peaceful sit-ins on January 30. State-level gheraos of Vidhan Sabhas will take place from February 7 to 15, culminating in four major rallies between February 16 and 25. Ramesh said the campaign is not just a “save campaign” but a “save struggle,” with preparatory meetings at state Congress headquarters beginning January 8. He criticised the Act for centralising funds and removing employment guarantees, noting that the 60:40 funding split between Centre and states violates Article 258 of the Constitution. Unlike the Delhi-centric agitation against the three “black” farm laws, the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram will be implemented at panchayat, block, district, and state levels. The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill, or VB-G RAM G, was passed with a voice vote amid Rajya Sabha protests on December 18, 2025, and received presidential assent on December 21, replacing MGNREGA and guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per rural household each financial year.
