Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Saturday issued a video statement strongly criticising the Modi government over the proposed VB-G RAM G Bill, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
In her message, Sonia Gandhi alleged that the BJP-led government has consistently ignored the interests of the rural poor over the last 11 years, weakening MGNREGA despite its critical role as a social safety net.
“Over the past 11 years, the Modi government has made every attempt to weaken MGNREGA, despite it being a lifeline for the poor during COVID,” she said. She further accused the government of dismantling the scheme without adequate consultation. “Recently, the government has bulldozed MGNREGA, changing its structure arbitrarily without discussion or consultation,” Gandhi added.
According to the Congress leader, the proposed changes threaten the livelihoods of millions dependent on rural employment schemes. “By weakening this law, the Modi government has attacked the interests of crores of farmers, workers and the landless rural poor,” she said.
VIDEO | Congress leader Sonia Gandhi issues a video statement on VB-G RAM G Bill replacing MGNREGA.She says, "Over the past 11 years, the Modi government has made every attempt to weaken MGNREGA, despite it being a lifeline for the poor during COVID. Recently, the government… pic.twitter.com/k1vOMG6Mgj — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 20, 2025
In a video message, she said that by weakening MGNREGA, the Modi government had attacked the interests of crores of farmers, labourers, and landless across the country. She alleged that over the past 11 years, the Centre had ignored the interests of the rural poor.
Gandhi said she vividly remembers the day 20 years ago, when Manmohan Singh was prime minister, and the MGNREGA Act was passed in Parliament by consensus. The former party president said it was "such a revolutionary step," and became a means of livelihood for the deprived, the exploited, and the poorest of the poor.
She said, due to MGNREGA, migration in search of work came to a halt, a legal right to employment was provided, and gram panchayats were empowered. "Through MGNREGA, a concrete step was taken towards realising the dream of an India based on Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Gram Swaraj," she said.
"But it is a matter of great regret that just recently, the government ran a bulldozer over MGNREGA. Not only was Mahatma Gandhi's name removed, but the form and structure of MGNREGA was changed arbitrarily — without any deliberation, without consulting anyone, without taking the opposition into confidence," the Congress leader alleged.
*With Agency InputsDiscover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
