In a sharp critique from Thiruvananthapuram, Congress leader and Opposition figure V D Satheesan on Tuesday launched a direct attack on the BJP-led Union government. He accused it of demonstrating fear and intolerance towards Mahatma Gandhi by deciding to strip the iconic leader's name from the flagship rural employment guarantee scheme.
The Core of the Controversy: Replacing MGNREGS
Satheesan's strong remarks were a reaction to the central government's introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. This proposed legislation aims to replace the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). According to a copy of the bill, the new law would provide a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment each financial year to rural households whose adult members opt for unskilled manual work. States will be required to formulate a scheme aligning with this new law within six months of its commencement.
An Alleged Pattern of Erasing Legacy
In an official statement, Satheesan framed this move as a reflection of the Sangh Parivar's deep-seated hostility towards Gandhi and the Gandhian principles he described as the nation's soul. He alleged that forces propagating division and hatred cannot reconcile with Gandhi's messages of love and inclusiveness. "Those linked to the legacy of his assassins continue to fear even his name and memory," Satheesan asserted.
He further accused the BJP government of a repeated pattern of attempting to erase the contributions of national leaders from public memory. This, he claimed, is done by renaming schemes associated with Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, and by trying to undermine the narrative of the freedom struggle. "The objective is to project the nation as belonging exclusively to them while ignoring the role played by the Congress and its leaders in building modern India," Satheesan said. He reminded the government that the Congress and its leaders are also an inseparable part of India.
Defending a Revolutionary Scheme
Satheesan passionately defended the MGNREGS, calling it a revolutionary initiative launched by the UPA government in 2005 that tackled hunger and empowered vast sections of society, particularly women. He accused the Narendra Modi-led government of now trying to claim ownership of the programme's success by delinking it from Mahatma Gandhi's name.
The Congress leader issued a stern warning, stating that removing Gandhi's name would not erase his ideas. He expressed confidence that the country would collectively resist the Centre's move. Satheesan demanded the immediate withdrawal of what he termed an arrogant and unjustified decision by the Union government.
