In a sharp escalation of political rhetoric, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has launched a fierce attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government. She has accused it of systematically undermining the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and vowed to oppose what she termed a "new black law" concerning the release of central funds to states.
A Scathing Accusation: 'Bulldozing' a Landmark Scheme
Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, did not mince words in her critique. She asserted that the Modi government has effectively "bulldozed" MGNREGA, a flagship social welfare scheme that guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households. This scheme, she emphasized, was a lifeline for the poor and was brought into existence by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Her statement highlighted a deep-seated concern within the opposition regarding the central government's approach to federalism and welfare. Gandhi positioned the Congress party as the primary defender of the rights of states and the poor, setting the stage for a major political confrontation.
The 'Black Law' and the Fight for State Funds
The core of Gandhi's accusation revolves around recent amendments to the Centre's financial rules. She specifically targeted the "Treasury Single Rule" amendments, which she described as a "new black law." According to her interpretation, these changes give the Union government unilateral power to stop the release of funds to states.
This, she argued, is a direct assault on the principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution. Gandhi warned that this move would allow the Centre to financially strangle state governments, particularly those run by opposition parties, by withholding crucial resources for development and welfare programs like MGNREGA.
"We will fight this black law with all our might," Gandhi declared, signaling that the Congress party intends to make this a central issue both inside and outside Parliament.
Context and Political Repercussions
This attack comes amid ongoing tensions between the Centre and several opposition-ruled states over fund disbursements. States have frequently complained about delays or reductions in central funds for various schemes, impacting their implementation on the ground.
By framing the issue around MGNREGA—a scheme with vast rural reach—and the autonomy of states, the Congress aims to rally its base and other opposition parties. The language of a "black law" and "bulldozing" is designed to evoke strong emotional and political responses, painting the government as authoritarian and anti-poor.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has consistently defended its record on MGNREGA, stating that it has allocated and released substantial funds for the scheme. It typically counters such accusations by arguing for greater transparency and efficiency in the implementation of welfare programs by states.
However, Sonia Gandhi's unequivocal vow to resist these financial rule changes ensures that the debate over fiscal federalism and the future of social security nets will remain at the forefront of India's political discourse in the coming months.
