Senior Congress leader and Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, accusing it of systematically weakening and attempting to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The allegations were made during a press conference held at the Congress Bhawan in Kurukshetra on Saturday as part of the party's 'MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan'.
Allegations of 'Murder' and a Call to Action
Arora did not mince words, stating that the BJP's actions amounted to the "murder of MGNREGA in broad daylight," a move he asserted the Congress would never tolerate. The press conference saw the presence of other prominent leaders including Pehowa MLA Mandeep Chatta, Shahabad MLA Ram Karan Kala, and former MP Kailasho Saini.
Outlining the party's plan of action, Arora revealed that the Congress has prepared a detailed statewide agitation programme to counter the alleged dilution of the flagship rural jobs scheme. As part of this coordinated effort, press conferences were held simultaneously in every district of Haryana. The campaign will escalate with Congress workers observing a one-day protest at all district headquarters on January 11. The protest will involve paying homage at statues of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.
The Core of the Controversy: Removing the Legal Guarantee
Arora pinpointed the central issue, alleging that the government has removed the legal guarantee of work that formed the very foundation of MGNREGA. He claimed that by stripping Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme and altering its fundamental framework, the Centre had "destroyed its very soul." The Congress leader vowed that his party would continue its struggle relentlessly until the original form and spirit of MGNREGA are fully restored.
Highlighting the scheme's monumental significance, Arora reminded that MGNREGA was introduced by the Congress-led UPA government in 2005. It guaranteed employment on demand to any rural household, with a mandate to provide work within 15 days of application, ensuring at least 100 days of employment every year. This made the scheme the backbone of rural livelihoods, providing crucial employment to 5–6 crore families annually across India.
From Streets to Parliament: A Pledge to Fight
The senior Congress leader elaborated on his accusations, stating that the BJP government has effectively ended the legal right to work. He alleged that the Centre now intends to unilaterally decide where work will be provided and where it will not, taking away the power and assurance from the rural workforce.
Asserting the party's resolve, Arora declared that the Congress would fight these alleged changes on every front – from the streets to the Parliament. He emphasized that there would be no compromise on the original character and legal guarantees of MGNREGA, setting the stage for a significant political confrontation over the future of India's largest social welfare scheme.
