Congress Leaders Unite in Jind to Protest MGNREGA Changes
In a significant display of unity following their defeat in the assembly elections, leaders from all factions of the Congress party came together for a day-long protest outside the Mini Secretariat in Jind on Thursday. The demonstration, organized under the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangharsh Abhiyan’, marked a rare moment of solidarity within the party.
Key Demands of the Protest
The protest was primarily focused on two major demands:
- Restoration of MGNREGA with 200 days of guaranteed work per year, along with timely payment of wages.
- Retention of Mahatma Gandhi’s name in the scheme, opposing the government’s move to rename it.
Congress leaders and workers gathered outside the Mini Secretariat, addressed the crowd, and later took out a procession. A memorandum was submitted to the city magistrate, quoting the President of India to emphasize their demands.
Prominent Leaders Share Platform
The protest saw leaders from various factions sharing the same platform, sending a strong message of unity. Notable attendees included:
- Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda
- Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala
- Former Union Minister Birender Singh
District Congress President Rishipal Haibatpur, who led the protest, launched a sharp attack on the BJP government. He accused the government of conspiring to snatch employment from workers by changing the name of MGNREGA to “VBG Ramji” and introducing new laws. “Any attack on MGNREGA is a direct assault on the livelihood of the poor,” he stated.
Participation and Symbolism
Alongside Congress workers, MGNREGA laborers also participated in the protest, carrying traditional tools such as spades and baskets to symbolize their reliance on the scheme. District Congress in-charge Rishipal Yadav, who attended as the chief guest, questioned the government’s policies and elaborated on the adverse impacts of the VB-GRAM G scheme.
Political Implications
Politically, the protest served as a powerful statement of unity within the Congress party in Jind. Long perceived as divided due to factionalism, the local Congress organization presented a cohesive front, with leaders and workers from all factions speaking in one voice against the government.
Deepak Pindara, district general secretary of the Congress party, highlighted the ideological clarity of the party. “By demanding 200 days of guaranteed employment, timely payments, and retaining Mahatma Gandhi’s name with the scheme, Congress has firmly positioned itself as a champion of the laboring class,” he said.
The protest underscored the Congress party’s commitment to standing with the poor, laborers, and farmers, vowing to give a befitting reply to any attempts to undermine their rights.
