Congress in Karnataka to name all Gram Panchayats after Mahatma Gandhi

The ruling Congress in Karnataka on Tuesday decided to name all Gram Panchayat offices in the state after Mahatma Gandhi , a move the party said would honour the Father of the Nation and reinforce its commitment to rural welfare.

The proposal was put forward by Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala during a protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru against the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the new rural employment scheme, ‘Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G)’ .

Congress leaders argued that removing a law named after Gandhi, which guarantees employment to millions of rural households, was akin to “killing the noble soul again.” By naming Panchayats after Gandhi, the party aims to symbolically link grassroots governance with Gandhian ideals of rural upliftment, self-reliance, and ethical leadership.

The proposal received swift approval from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar , who said, “All Gram Panchayats in Karnataka will now be called Mahatma Gandhi Gram Panchayat. This decision not only honours Gandhiji’s legacy but also reinforces our party’s commitment to rural welfare.”

Political analysts say the move is a strategic blend of cultural reverence and political messaging , serving both as a protest against the new employment scheme and a permanent reminder of Congress’ association with Gandhi and rural development. By placing Gandhi’s name at the heart of local governance, the party seeks to assert moral authority, strengthen its political identity, and remind citizens of its role in protecting rural livelihoods.