New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, participated in the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' in the national capital on Thursday. Numerous Congress leaders criticized the Modi administration, declaring intentions to escalate this campaign into a widespread mass movement.

The event featured senior Congress leaders, Members of Parliament, MLAs, representatives from civil society, and MGNREGA workers hailing from various states.

In an interview with IANS, All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba accused the BJP-led central government of conducting a “dictatorial” assault on rural employment rights without engaging state governments, stakeholders connected to MGNREGA, or the workers themselves.

She asserted that the scheme has been systematically undermined, alleging job losses for rural workers and noted that even Mahatma Gandhi’s name has been excluded from the program.

“Our leadership has decided not to take this lightly. We will convert this into a national movement. Our workers are actively engaging with villagers across the country, and we will not permit the government to dismantle the foundational structure of MGNREGA,” Lamba stated.

Congress MLA Vikrant Bhuria reported that a significant crowd had gathered from different states for the initiative. He mentioned that social organizations were also involved, and a crucial decision regarding the future of the struggle would be made.

“This will evolve into a mass movement in the days ahead,” he remarked.

National Chairman of the Congress SC Department, Rajendra Pal Gautam, emphasized the party’s aim to unite all members of civil society who have engaged with MGNREGA and the workers tied to the scheme.

“Through this collective platform, we will forge a mass movement and pressure the BJP government to reinstate MGNREGA. Our struggle will persist until the scheme is completely restored,” he affirmed.

Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil highlighted preparations for a long-term protest.

“This is not merely a one-day event. It will extend over a long duration. We are connecting with every village and inviting MGNREGA workers to participate. Today signifies the inception of a nationwide movement, with dialogues occurring alongside civil society,” he noted.

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit pointed out that the initiative was being propelled by individuals directly affected by modifications to the scheme.

“MGNREGA was a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided employment and assisted individuals in surviving the crisis. The presence of people from various regions with clay pots here signifies their unity and resolve,” he added.

The Congress has officially launched the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ as a national campaign to challenge what it identifies as the Modi government’s attack on the world’s largest social welfare program. The party claims that efforts to revoke, rename, or replace MGNREGA with the proposed VB-G RAM G Act represent a direct assault on impoverished workers and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Congress stated that Mahatma Gandhi embodied the dignity of labor, local self-governance, and the state’s moral obligation to its citizens. Removing his name from this landmark initiative is viewed as a deliberate effort to erase his legacy and vision for India.

Established by the Congress-led administration under then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2005, MGNREGA has acted as a lifeline for millions of rural families over the past two decades. Since its inception in 2006, the scheme has created over 180 crore person-days of employment.

The party further stated that during the COVID-19 lockdown, which allegedly left millions without livelihoods and resulted in widespread migration, MGNREGA emerged as a vital safety net. During that time, the scheme provided employment to approximately 4.6 crore families.

As part of this movement, the Congress demands the immediate restoration of MGNREGA, reinstatement of the constitutional right to work, assurance of timely wages and accountability, and the establishment of a nationwide minimum wage of Rs 400.