Shivakumar Calls for ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ Protest to Protect MGNREGA
Congress to launch statewide ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ protest against MGNREGA repeal
Bengaluru, Jan 26 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that the Congress will hold a ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ march on January 27 to protest the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the newly passed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G.
Shivakumar said Congress workers and leaders will organize foot marches spanning at least five kilometers in every taluk, alongside panchayat-level demonstrations, to defend the rural employment scheme, which he described as a constitutional right introduced two decades ago by the Manmohan Singh government.
“The BJP is responsible for curtailing the employment guarantee under MGNREGA. That’s why we are taking this march to Raj Bhavan to demand its restoration,” he said. “We are prepared to take this fight to the Legislative Assembly, pass resolutions, and continue the agitation until MGNREGA is reinstated, similar to the withdrawal of the black farm laws.”
Shivakumar criticised the new VB-G RAM G law, saying its implementation is impractical without proper funding from the Centre. “Speaking from experience representing rural communities, this scheme cannot be executed effectively,” he added.
Addressing the recent controversy in the Karnataka Assembly, Shivakumar remarked on the Governor’s partial reading of his January 22 address, which mentioned the repeal of MGNREGA. Congress legislators had protested the omission and attempted to gherao the Governor, Thaawarchand Gehlot. Shivakumar stated that while the Governor has discretion, reading the government-provided speech is a constitutional responsibility.
On Republic Day, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the Congress government’s initiatives to promote constitutional awareness in Karnataka, including mandatory reading of the Constitution’s Preamble in schools. “Our government remains committed to protecting the Constitution and instilling its values in the next generation,” he said.
