Will Telangana Congress Mobilize Protests for MGNREGS Restoration?
Synopsis
Telangana's Congress party is gearing up for a major protest campaign demanding the restoration of MGNREGS, criticizing the VB G RAM G Act as harmful to rural laborers. The movement will feature Gram Sabhas and public meetings across the state, with high-profile leaders expected to join the cause.
Key Takeaways
Telangana Congress initiates 45-day protests for MGNREGS.
Opposition to the VB G RAM G Act due to its impact on rural workers.
Plans to conduct Gram Sabhas in over 12,000 Panchayats.
Public meetings scheduled in all districts starting February 3.
High-profile attendance expected at protests.
Hyderabad, Jan 8 (NationPress) The ruling Congress party in Telangana has announced plans to initiate a series of protests over the next 45 days throughout the state, advocating for the reinstatement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
During a meeting held at the party's headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan, the state Congress unit agreed to oppose the newly passed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB G RAM G), which is intended to replace the MGNREGS.
The meeting was led by state Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud and attended by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, AICC in-charge Meenkashi Natrajan, and other senior leaders, who laid out the strategy for the upcoming protests.
Leaders condemned the VB G RAM G as a “death sentence” for the rural underprivileged, pledging to underline during the campaign how the new legislation is detrimental to the interests of the impoverished and agricultural laborers.
The party plans to conduct Gram Sabhas across all 12,000+ Gram Panchayats from January 20 to January 30 to pass resolutions calling for the restoration of the MGNREGS. These resolutions will be forwarded to the President.
Public meetings will also be held in every district starting from February 3.
A significant public gathering is set for Mulugu, where Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced that prominent Congress figures Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will be invited.
He criticized the BJP-led NDA government for enacting a new law that replaces the MGNREGS, claiming that around 80% of the country’s 140 crore population benefited from the employment guarantee scheme initiated by the Congress government. He accused the Modi government of making life harder for the poor by altering this policy.
Revanth Reddy emphasized that the MGNREGS had elevated the self-esteem of the impoverished, and that the Telugu states served as the foundation for the scheme's rollout and execution.
He alleged that modifications to the employment guarantee scheme were made to benefit certain wealthy industrialists seeking to employ cheap labor.
“We will combat until the MGNREGS is reinstated. We will demand an apology from Modi regarding this issue,” he stated.
He also remarked that the state Assembly had previously adopted a unanimous resolution opposing changes to the MGNREGS, urging state MPs to protest on the first day of the Parliament's Budget session.
He alleged that the BJP had plotted to alter the Constitution if they secured 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, asserting that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have been traversing the nation to raise public awareness.
He strongly criticized the Modi government for initiating the Special Intensive Revision of the voters’ list, alleging it aims to strip the voting rights of the economically disadvantaged and minorities under the guise of voter purification.
The Chief Minister also accused the Modi administration of attempting to seize extraordinary powers.
He highlighted that the Modi government had enacted “anti-farmer” laws, against which Rahul Gandhi fought and successfully compelled Modi to apologize to the farmers and retract the laws.
Point of View
The developments in Telangana highlight ongoing tensions between regional and central governance, particularly concerning rural employment policies. The Congress's strategic mobilization against the VB G RAM G Act underscores the importance of employment schemes for millions, and how political actions can resonate beyond state lines, affecting national discourse on rural welfare.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MGNREGS?
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a labor law and social security measure aimed at guaranteeing at least 100 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year to every rural household.
What does the VB G RAM G Act entail?
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act is legislation recently passed by Parliament, intended to replace the MGNREGS, which Congress argues is detrimental to rural employment.
Why is Congress protesting?
Congress is protesting to demand the restoration of MGNREGS, which they believe is essential for the livelihood of rural workers, and to oppose the newly enacted VB G RAM G Act.
When will the protests start?
The protests are set to commence on January 20 and will run for 45 days, including public meetings and Gram Sabhas.
Who are the key leaders involved?
Key leaders include Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and prominent figures like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
