Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp critique on Wednesday against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for its decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister labeled the move as the first concrete step in a larger plan to ultimately scrap the vital rural employment scheme altogether.
Renaming MGNREGA: A 'Ram Ram' to the Scheme?
Speaking in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav sarcastically remarked that the BJP's intention behind rebranding MGNREGA as 'VB-G RAM G' appears to be a way of bidding a final farewell—or "Ram Ram"—to the program itself. He described the renaming as fundamentally anti-farmer and anti-rural poor, questioning the constructive purpose of such a change.
"What difference will a change of name make?" Yadav asked, asserting that the alteration solves no real problems faced by beneficiaries. "Actually, it is a ploy to end the (MGNREGA) scheme and change of name is a first step in that direction," he stated, framing the decision as a deceptive tactic rather than a substantive reform.
Budget Cuts and Systemic Pressure on States
Akhilesh Yadav bolstered his accusation by pointing to the consistent reduction in budget allocation for the scheme by the Central government year after year. He highlighted a contradictory stance where the Centre cuts funds while simultaneously urging states to spend more aggressively on rural employment.
The SP chief linked this pressure to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, which he claimed has left state coffers empty. "From where will the states make arrangements for the extra budget? As a result the states will themselves get down to take the wind out of the scheme," he argued, suggesting the financial strain would force states to undermine MGNREGA's implementation.
He further alleged that the process of sidelining the scheme is being expedited by reclassifying hundreds of gram sabhas under the 'Urban Category', thereby making them ineligible for the rural employment scheme's budget.
Water Metro Project and Corruption Allegations
Shifting focus to a local issue, Yadav also questioned the BJP government's plan to launch a water metro service on Lucknow's Gomti River. He suggested the project was designed to feed the corruption prevailing under the 'double-engine' government—a term often used by the BJP to describe its rule at both state and central levels.
He demanded an explanation from the government regarding the fate of the state-of-the-art water bus and world-class fountains installed in the Gomti during the previous SP regime. "Before introducing the water metro, the BJP govt must explain what happened to these," Akhilesh said, adding, "Under the BJP govt the 'double-engines' are only propelling corruption full throttle."
The SP president's comments underscore the escalating political battle in Uttar Pradesh, where the opposition is framing the ruling party's policy changes as attacks on welfare schemes for the poor and marginalized sections of society.
