Mon Feb 02 10:12:11 UTC 2026: # Congress Protests MGNREGA Scrapping in Mysuru

The Story:

Congress workers in Mysuru, Karnataka, held a night-long satyagraha on February 1, 2026, to protest the BJP-led central government’s decision to scrap the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. The protest, which took place at Town Hall, involved various activities, including paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar, reading the Constitution’s preamble, and playing patriotic songs. Key Congress leaders participated in the demonstration, demanding the reinstatement of MGNREGA.

Key Points:

  • The protest was held on February 1, 2026, in Mysuru, Karnataka.
  • The protest was against the scrapping of MGNREGA by the BJP-led central government.
  • The protest included tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and constitutional readings.
  • Minister H. C. Mahadevappa criticized the central government’s new program, “Vikasit Bharat Guarantee Rozgar Ajeevika Mission Grameen” (VB G RAM G), as a rushed replacement for MGNREGA.
  • Congress leaders highlighted the benefits of MGNREGA, such as the construction of cow sheds, anganwadis, schools, and toilets, managed at the gram panchayat level.

Critical Analysis:

The protest highlights the Congress party’s opposition to the BJP’s policy shift away from MGNREGA. Given the earlier news mentioning that “MGNREGA was transformative law, its substitute a flaw: Congress”, this action appears to be a coordinated effort to publicly display their disapproval and rally support against the new scheme, while portraying the BJP’s actions as detrimental to rural development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Congress party is actively resisting the BJP’s move to replace MGNREGA.
  • The protest is a strategic attempt to highlight the perceived shortcomings of the new “Vikasit Bharat Guarantee Rozgar Ajeevika Mission Grameen” (VB G RAM G) scheme.
  • The choice of Mysuru, with its strong Congress presence, signals a localized base of support for the party’s stance on rural employment.
  • The timing of the protest indicates an attempt to set the narrative early in February regarding rural employment policies.

Impact Analysis:

The protest will likely fuel further political debate and mobilization around rural employment schemes. The Congress party seeks to capitalize on any public dissatisfaction arising from the new scheme to gain political ground. The long-term impact hinges on the actual implementation and perceived effectiveness of “Vikasit Bharat Guarantee Rozgar Ajeevika Mission Grameen” and whether it can match or surpass the perceived benefits of MGNREGA. A failure of the new scheme could significantly bolster the Congress party’s position, while its success could marginalize their criticism.

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