CWC signals unity, to launch nationwide ‘Save MNREGA’ campaign from Jan 5

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday resolved to launch a nationwide ‘Save MNREGA’ campaign from January 5 , positioning the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the centrepiece of a mass political mobilisation against the Centre’s recently enacted Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act .

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Mallikarjun Kharge , attended by the party’s top leadership, all Congress chief ministers, and senior office-bearers, in what was seen as a strong show of organisational unity.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi described the replacement of MGNREGA as a “devastating attack” on states and rural livelihoods, alleging that decision-making authority and financial resources were being centralised in a manner reminiscent of demonetisation. He argued that MGNREGA was not merely an employment programme but a globally recognised, rights-based development framework that also enabled rural infrastructure creation.

The CWC unanimously resolved to oppose any dilution, restructuring or renaming of MGNREGA and announced that the campaign would involve nationwide rallies, grassroots outreach, and coordinated state-level agitations. Party leaders took an oath to protect the scheme and to oppose any attempt to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the legislation.

Significantly, all Congress chief ministers attended the meeting , including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy , underscoring the party’s emphasis on federalism and state rights in its opposition to the new rural employment law.

The presence of senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was also politically notable, coming amid persistent speculation about his alleged proximity to the BJP. His participation was viewed within party circles as a clear signal of alignment with the Congress’s collective stance.

The CWC also reviewed organisational preparedness for the 2026 Assembly elections and discussed broader political messaging against what the party described as the Centre’s increasing centralisation of powers.

With the January 5 launch of the ‘Save MNREGA’ campaign, the Congress has signalled its intent to make rural employment, state autonomy and federal rights central to its political pitch in the months ahead.