Lucknow, Feb 17 (NationPress) The Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly is currently facing tumultuous scenes, with persistent disruptions caused by opposition allies of the INDIA bloc—namely, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP)—who are advocating for distinct issues.

While both parties are united nationally under the INDIA bloc, they have opted to mobilize around separate topics within the state.

The Congress has intensified its criticism of the BJP-led state government regarding alleged dilution and irregularities in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Meanwhile, the SP has focused its protests on the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that it is being exploited to eliminate voters from marginalized communities.

This Tuesday, the Congress intends to conduct a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' outside the Assembly complex to protest what they describe as the undermining of MGNREGA and the non-payment of wages to laborers.

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai stated, "This gherao of the Legislative Assembly highlights the plight of MGNREGA workers who have not received their wages, and the erosion of MGNREGA's original intent, which was established in Mahatma Gandhi’s name by the UPA government. It aimed to provide employment to the underprivileged and assured them of 100 days of work to support their families."

Rai further alleged that the current administration is failing the poor, adding, "The government is misleading the public, especially the underprivileged. How can a government betray its poor citizens? Issues ranging from the Shankaracharya matter to crimes against women across the state contribute to this corruption. This is why we are protesting today."

Congress MP Kishori Lal Sharma also addressed attendees, stating, "Today’s 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' sees participation from workers across all districts. This protest is centered on the 'MGNREGA Bachao' initiative."

Sharma criticized the substantial police presence outside the Congress office in Lucknow, stating, "It is the police's responsibility to uphold law and order, while it is our duty to voice our concerns. In a democracy, governments should not fear protests. We have the right to express our opinions, and the opposition has the right to challenge policies that do not serve the public interest."

All India Congress Committee General Secretary Avinash Pandey mentioned that the protests had been intensifying for several weeks.

He noted, "For the past 40 days, across the state, we have been rallying public support through community gatherings and demonstrations concerning the complete overhaul of the MGNREGA law, which threatens to strip citizens of their rights. Our struggle to reclaim these rights continues."

"Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have also condemned the alterations to MGNREGA. It once empowered the poor by providing them with employment, but now those benefits are being eroded. Until the marginalized are granted the benefits they deserve, our fight will persist," he added.

In contrast, the Samajwadi Party has directed its attention towards the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Review of voter rolls, alleging widespread misuse of Form 7 to disenfranchise poor, Dalit, and Adivasi (PDA) voters.

The SP has distanced itself from the Congress's MGNREGA protests, prioritizing concerns about electoral rolls ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

SP MLA Anil Pradhan stated, "The Samajwadi Party's national leadership has consistently raised concerns about SIR irregularities. The question arises: when extensive mapping has already been conducted and names have been cleared, what is the purpose of Form 7? We are witnessing large-scale misuse of Form 7 by BJP members throughout Uttar Pradesh."

"Our national president, Akhilesh Yadav, has repeatedly brought this issue to the attention of the ECI. Unfortunately, the election body has yet to provide a satisfactory response," he added.

SP MLA Sachin Yadav mentioned, "To expose the misuse of Form 7, we will approach the Election Commission today and submit a memorandum demanding an end to this malpractice. Continuous reports indicate that votes belonging to the PDA community are being unjustly deleted."