At a preparatory meeting held on Tuesday at Gayatri Vihar in Bengaluru's Palace Grounds for the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' Karnataka Congress leaders strongly condemned the central government's repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and its replacement with the new 'Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)' (VB-G RAM G) Act. BELLAVITA Skai Aquatic EDC & Fresh EDT | Long Lasting 2x20ml Perfume for Man & Woman | Gifts for Woman | Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Pink Pepper | Premium Fragrance
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has resolved to build a massive statewide people's movement to demand the restoration of the original MGNREGA.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Appeal:
Addressing the gathering, CM Siddaramaiah condemned the scrapping of MGNREGA – a scheme named after Mahatma Gandhi – as "highly objectionable."
He alleged the central government harbors an "allergy" to Gandhi's name. Referring to the new law's acronym, he remarked: "This 'RAM' is not Lord Rama of Dasharatha, but Nathuram – the one who assassinated Gandhi."
He highlighted that under the original Act, workers had the right to demand 100 days of work annually in their own village, a right now "snatched away." Also Read: Bengaluru’s Decade-Long Civic Exile Ends: Supreme Court Sets Deadline for GBA ‘Big Fight’!?
Drawing parallels to the North Indian farmers' protests against farm laws, he urged party workers to continue the agitation relentlessly until MGNREGA is restored.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's Stern Warning:
Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar issued a strict warning to party office-bearers and observers: Those who fail to actively participate in the MGNREGA Bachao campaign will be immediately removed from their positions. He emphasized that every program outlined by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) must be implemented mandatorily.: Makar Sankranti Celebrations: Row upon Row of Special Trains Deployed to Control Passenger Rush..!
He added that in areas without MLAs, he would personally lead padayatras, especially in his constituency of Shikaripura.
Planned Course of Agitation:
Cabinet Meeting & Special Session: Discussion in the state cabinet meeting on January 14, followed by a decision to convene a two-day special legislative session to pass a resolution demanding MGNREGA's restoration.
Media Conferences: Press meets at district and taluk levels led by ministers and leaders.
Awareness Padayatras: From January 26 to February 7 (or up to February 2 in some plans), 5–10 km padayatras in every Assembly constituency.Also Read: Bengaluru Railway Update: Station Changes, Temporary Hardship for Passengers..!
Sonia Gandhi's Message: Broadcast of Sonia Gandhi's video message via LED screens at village level.
Memorandum Submissions: Submission of memorandums to taluk offices demanding MGNREGA's reimplementation, culminating in a major statewide rally.
This forms part of the nationwide 45-day 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' launched by the Congress against the new rural jobs law, which the party claims weakens workers' rights, shifts financial burden to states, and undermines decentralized governance.Also Read: SIR Before Polls: EC to Launch 'Special Intensive Revision' to Cleanse Voters' List Before GBA Elections!?