Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has issued a sharp warning to the central government, cautioning against any move to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He stated that such an action would lead to widespread public unrest, with citizens taking to the roads in protest.
A Stark Warning Against Ending the Rural Jobs Scheme
In a strongly worded statement, Kharge emphasized the critical role of MGNREGA in supporting India's most vulnerable populations. He argued that the scheme was fundamentally introduced to provide sustenance for the poor, including those who are unable to find work. The Congress leader's comments came on December 18, 2025, as reported by PTI, highlighting the ongoing political tension over the flagship welfare program.
Kharge accused the current administration of attempting to strip away the rights guaranteed to the underprivileged. "Today you are taking away the rights given to them," he asserted, framing the potential changes to MGNREGA as an attack on a crucial social safety net. His message carried a clear political threat, suggesting that the ruling party would face severe consequences from an angered electorate.
The Core Argument: A Right, Not a Charity
The heart of Kharge's critique lies in the perception of MGNREGA as an entitlement rather than a government handout. He positioned the scheme as a legally backed right for rural households, ensuring a minimum number of days of wage employment. Any attempt to dilute or end it, therefore, is viewed as a revocation of a fundamental assurance made to the people.
This defense of MGNREGA taps into a larger narrative about economic justice and the government's responsibility toward its citizens. The program has long been a cornerstone of the Congress party's legacy and a frequent point of contention with the current BJP-led central government, which has at times questioned its efficacy and financial burden.
Political Repercussions and the Road Ahead
Kharge's dramatic warning—"people won't let you roam on roads"—signals a readiness to mobilize public sentiment and street-level protests against the government's policies. This rhetoric is likely to intensify the debate around rural distress, unemployment, and the future of welfare schemes in India.
The confrontation sets the stage for a heated political battle, especially as parties gear up for future electoral contests. The Congress, under Kharge's leadership, is positioning itself as the primary defender of pro-poor initiatives, using MGNREGA as a key symbol of its commitment. The government's response and any forthcoming budgetary allocations for the scheme will now be scrutinized under an even more intense political lens.
