New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday compared the Centre’s decision to dismantle MGNREGA with demonetisation, calling it a unilateral move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that could severely damage the rural economy.
After a marathon meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi announced a nationwide campaign beginning January 5 to demand the restoration of the rural employment guarantee scheme.
“One-man decision,” says Congress
Addressing the media, Kharge said the move to replace MGNREGA with the VB-GRAMG model reflected a “one-man decision,” similar to demonetisation. He warned that the change would hurt Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, women, minorities, and the rural poor.
Rahul Gandhi echoed the criticism, alleging that the Prime Minister’s Office took the decision without consulting the Cabinet or even the rural development minister. He described the move as an example of a “one-man show” that ignores ground realities.
Impact on states and rural economy
Congress leaders argued that shifting nearly 30% of MGNREGA’s financial burden to states would stall development work. Kharge said states already face financial stress and cannot absorb additional costs without affecting welfare programmes.
He also alleged that the policy change would benefit large corporate houses. “The government is taking money from the poor and redirecting it to billionaires,” Rahul claimed.
MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan from January 5
The CWC adopted a five-point resolution and pledged to launch the MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan from January 5, 2026. The party said it would oppose the policy through democratic means and mobilise public support nationwide.
Kharge warned the government against ignoring public anger, recalling how protests forced the repeal of the three farm laws. He expressed confidence that opposition parties would unite to press for the scheme’s restoration.
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