Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief, D.K. Shivakumar, has declared the launch of a major public movement to protect the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The campaign, aptly named 'Save MGNREGA', is scheduled to commence on the nation's Republic Day, January 26, 2026.
Campaign Aims to Mobilize All Stakeholders
Shivakumar emphasized that the initiative is designed to generate widespread awareness among every group with a stake in the flagship rural employment program. This includes the millions of MGNREGA beneficiaries across the country whose livelihoods are directly tied to the scheme. The campaign will focus on highlighting the critical role MGNREGA plays in providing economic security and supporting rural infrastructure.
The senior Congress leader made this announcement on Friday, January 10, 2026, framing the campaign as a necessary response to protect a vital social safety net. He stated that the movement would involve a sustained effort to pressure the central government into addressing the concerns surrounding the scheme's implementation and funding.
A Sustained Agitation Until Demands Are Met
Shivakumar was unequivocal about the campaign's duration and objective. He asserted that the agitation would continue indefinitely until the MGNREGA scheme is fully restored to its intended operational and financial strength. This statement signals a potentially prolonged political confrontation over the future of the program.
The announcement positions the Congress party, particularly in Karnataka, at the forefront of a significant national issue concerning rural welfare and employment. The choice of Republic Day to begin the campaign adds symbolic weight, linking the demand for the right to work with the constitutional values celebrated on that day.
What This Means for Karnataka and Beyond
The launch of the 'Save MGNREGA' campaign from Karnataka is likely to have several immediate consequences:
- Increased Political Focus: It will bring the debate over MGNREGA's status back into sharp national political focus.
- Grassroots Mobilization: The plan to educate beneficiaries suggests a push for grassroots mobilization, potentially uniting a large voter base around the issue.
- State vs. Centre Dynamic: It underscores the ongoing tensions between the Congress-ruled state and the central government on policy matters.
The success of this campaign will depend on its ability to resonate with the rural population and build substantial public pressure. As of now, DK Shivakumar and the Karnataka Congress have drawn a clear line, promising a relentless fight starting January 26 to safeguard what they term a lifeline for India's rural poor.
