‘Save MGNREGA’ : Congress to begin nationwide protest from Jan 10

New Delhi: The Congress party on Saturday declared that it will launch a nationwide campaign called ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ from January 10 to February 25, demanding the repeal of the VB G-RAM-G Act and the restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based guarantee that upholds the right to work and empowers panchayats.

At a joint press briefing, Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh said the new VBG RAM G law centralises control completely, arguing that “employment will no longer be a right under the new Act,” and added that it will be contested in court.

Asked whether INDIA bloc–ruled states would refuse to implement or oppose the law, Venugopal said the party will consult coalition partners to decide the next steps. He added that opposition chief ministers will work toward a common position and “explore how best to proceed.”

Ramesh asserted that BJP-governed states themselves are not ready to implement the new legislation, which he said undermines the country’s federal system. Venugopal also called the Act an attack on federalism, saying states were not consulted despite the financial impact on them.

He explained that through the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, Congress intends to defend the right to work, safeguard Panchayati Raj institutions, and support women workers, Dalits, Adivasis, and rural communities by taking the issue to villages nationwide.

“Our firm demand is to scrap the VB GRAM G Act and bring back MGNREGA in its original, rights-based form — restoring people’s right to work and the powers of panchayats,” Venugopal said.

The campaign will begin on January 10 and continue until February 25. According to party leaders, January 10 will see district-level press conferences, followed by day-long fasts and symbolic protests at district headquarters on January 11.

Between January 12 and 29, panchayat-level meetings and outreach programmes will be held, followed by peaceful ward-level demonstrations on January 30 to highlight the demand for the right to work. From February 7 to 15, state-level protests at Vidhan Sabhas are planned, and four major rallies will be organised from February 16 to 25 to conclude the movement.

Ramesh clarified that this is not merely a “Save MGNREGA Campaign,” but a “Save MGNREGA Struggle,” noting that the first phase will begin on January 8 with preparatory meetings at state Congress offices. He said that although the VB G-RAM-G Act sounds impressive, its only real “guarantee” is “dangerous centralisation,” with no assured employment or financial backing for states.

He argued that the Central government alone will decide on fund allocations, turning the programme into a centralised scheme rather than a guaranteed employment right like MGNREGA. The Act also establishes a 60:40 Centre–state funding ratio, which the Congress leaders said violates Article 258 of the Constitution, as such decisions require state consent. They vowed to challenge the law in court and demanded its complete withdrawal.

Ramesh added that, unlike the earlier movement against the three farm laws, which was concentrated around Delhi, this agitation will be organised at the panchayat, block, district, and state levels.

The Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Bill (VB-G RAM G) was passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025, shortly after being cleared by the Lok Sabha. President Droupadi Murmu approved it on December 21, making it law. The Act replaces MGNREGA and promises 125 days of paid employment per rural household each financial year.