UP Congress Committee Launches Statewide Agitation Against Centre and State Government
The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) has launched a scathing attack on both the central and state governments, announcing a comprehensive statewide agitation campaign. The political movement focuses on two critical issues: restoring the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) to its original form and vehemently opposing what the party terms an "anti-farmer" trade understanding between India and the United States.
MNREGA Bachao Sangram: From Roads to Legislature
UPCC President Ajay Rai declared that the party will initiate the "MNREGA Bachao Sangram" (Save MNREGA Struggle), a sustained protest movement designed to escalate from grassroots road demonstrations to legislative action. Rai emphasized that the campaign aims to pressure authorities into reinstating MNREGA's foundational provisions, which the Congress alleges have been systematically diluted under current administrations.
Planned Gherao of State Assembly on February 17
In a significant escalation of tactics, the UPCC has announced plans to gherao (surround) the Uttar Pradesh state assembly on February 17. This coordinated demonstration is intended to draw maximum attention to their demands and disrupt legislative proceedings until their concerns are addressed. The assembly gherao represents the culmination of the initial phase of their agitation strategy.
Dual Focus: MNREGA Restoration and Trade Deal Opposition
The agitation campaign addresses two distinct but interconnected policy areas:
- MNREGA Restoration: The Congress party asserts that MNREGA, a flagship rural employment scheme originally launched during the UPA government, has been fundamentally altered and weakened. They demand a return to the program's original structure, guarantees, and funding levels.
- India-US Trade Understanding Opposition: Simultaneously, the UPCC is mobilizing against recent trade agreements between India and the United States, which they characterize as detrimental to Indian farmers' interests. The party claims these understandings will undermine agricultural sovereignty and economic stability.
This dual-pronged approach allows the Congress to appeal to both rural employment concerns and agricultural policy issues, potentially broadening their support base across Uttar Pradesh's diverse constituencies. The announcement signals a renewed offensive by the state Congress unit against ruling parties at both national and state levels.
