Speaking on Saturday, Stalin accused the Centre of deliberately removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA. Moreover, he alleged that the government plans to replace the demand-driven scheme with a discretionary rural jobs programme controlled by budget allocations.

According to Stalin, MGNREGA guarantees employment as a legal right. Therefore, he said any shift away from this framework undermines rural livelihoods and constitutional values. He argued that the proposed model allows the Centre to decide funding at will, which could leave States helpless.

The Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu has consistently implemented MGNREGA effectively. As a result, millions of rural families depend on it for income security. He warned that reducing the scheme’s scope would increase rural distress and migration.

Stalin also accused the Centre of erasing the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by removing his name from welfare programmes. He said such actions weaken the moral foundation of social justice policies.

Meanwhile, the DMK government has decided to fight the proposed changes politically and legally. Stalin said States must unite to protect workers’ rights and federal principles.

Finally, he assured rural workers that Tamil Nadu will continue to safeguard employment guarantees. He said the State will resist any attempt to dilute MGNREGA’s core principles.

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Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh accused the Union government of weakening the employment guarantee programme. They alleged that the Centre aims to centralise MNREGA and undermine Panchayati Raj institutions.

Venugopal said the Congress Working Committee approved a structured nationwide agitation. He explained that Phase One will begin on January 8 with preparatory meetings at Pradesh Congress Committee offices. District-level press conferences will follow on January 10. On January 11, Congress workers will hold a one-day fast at district headquarters near statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar.

Meanwhile, Phase Two will run from January 12 to January 30. During this period, the party will organise panchayat-level chaupals across villages. Congress leaders will also distribute pamphlets and deliver letters from the party president. On Martyrs’ Day, January 30, the party will hold peaceful sit-ins with MNREGA workers at the ward level.

Furthermore, Phase Three will begin on January 31 with district-level dharnas outside DC and DM offices till February 6. This will be followed by state-level gheraos of Vidhan Sabha buildings from February 7 to February 15. Four zonal AICC rallies will take place between February 16 and February 25.

Jairam Ramesh said the Congress would challenge the new law in court. He described the campaign as a struggle to protect the rights-based framework of MNREGA.

Venugopal also condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme. He said Gandhi symbolised the dignity of labour and village self-rule.

The Congress demanded immediate withdrawal of the VB-GRAM-G Act. It also called for restoring MNREGA in its original form to protect the rural poor, women workers, Dalits, and Adivasis.

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