In a direct political counter-move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a significant campaign in Jaipur on Saturday to promote its new rural employment initiative. This action is a direct response to the Congress party's planned 45-day 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' agitation.
BJP's Strategic Offensive with VB-G RAM G
The BJP's campaign is centered on promoting the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen) Act, popularly referred to as VB-G RAM G. To ensure the message reaches the grassroots, the party has deployed a formidable team. At least ten state ministers, alongside senior party leaders, have been tasked with visiting regions identified as Congress strongholds. Their mission involves a multi-pronged approach:
- Holding public meetings to explain the new law.
- Directly interacting with potential beneficiaries of the scheme.
- Actively defending the government's controversial decision to replace the older Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with this new framework.
Political Rhetoric Heats Up Over Scheme's Name
The launch event saw sharp political exchanges, with BJP state president Madan Rathore taking a pointed dig at the opposition. He questioned the Congress's apparent discomfort with the inclusion of "Ram" in the scheme's acronym. "If the name of Ram appears in the scheme, why does the Congress object? In fact, Congress should thank us," Rathore stated.
He went on to highlight what the BJP frames as key improvements in the new law. "Employment that was earlier limited to 100 days is now increased to 125 days, and to 150 days in tribal areas," he asserted, positioning VB-G RAM G as a superior alternative.
Ministers Accuse Congress of Spreading Misinformation
Echoing the aggressive stance, Cabinet minister Jogaram Patel accused the Congress party of deliberately misleading the public about the provisions and intent of the new employment guarantee law. This sets the stage for a fierce battle of narratives in the coming weeks.
Rathore further outlined the BJP's strategy, vowing to aggressively counter the Congress campaign. "We will expose every myth and lie spread by the Congress, and we will do it more aggressively than their campaign, by taking facts directly to the people," he declared. This indicates a sustained, door-to-door effort to sway public opinion in favor of the VB-G RAM G scheme and blunt the impact of the Congress's agitation.
The political showdown in Rajasthan underscores the high stakes surrounding rural employment policies, with both major parties preparing for a prolonged period of public mobilization and debate.
