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Rahul Gandhi lashes out at the Centre, calling the rollback of MGNREGA a “direct assault” on states and the poor. He claims the move centralises power and dismantles a globally praised development framework- what’s really at stake?
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New Delhi: After the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a strong attack on the government, accusing it of undermining state powers and dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Gandhi described the move as a “direct assault on state autonomy, infrastructure development, and the rights of marginalised communities.”
Speaking at a press conference following the CWC meet, Gandhi criticised the central government for what he called an attempt to centralise control over crucial resources and decision-making. He argued that states have traditionally depended on programs like MGNREGA to fund infrastructure projects and provide employment to rural populations.
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“They are taking away funds that belong to the states and decision-making powers that rightfully belong to them,” Gandhi said. He emphasised that programs like MGNREGA are essential for local governance and regional development, and the centralisation of authority weakens these structures.
Gandhi highlighted that MGNREGA is not merely a work program but a “conceptual development framework” recognised internationally for its rights-based approach to development. He cited Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s visits to 16 countries, where officials lauded India for introducing a unique development model grounded in citizens’ rights.
“This is not just about jobs; it is about empowering rural communities and creating sustainable infrastructure,” Gandhi added, stressing the program’s significance for marginalised populations.
Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi claimed that the rollback of MGNREGA was executed unilaterally by the Prime Minister’s Office without consulting cabinet ministers or relevant stakeholders.
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“This has been destroyed single-handedly by the Prime Minister, without asking his cabinet or studying the matter,” Gandhi said, criticising the lack of collaborative decision-making in handling a crucial social welfare program.
The Congress leader urged the government to respect the federal structure and consult states before implementing policies that directly impact local governance and welfare schemes. He argued that dismantling programs like MGNREGA not only harms rural employment but also undermines the very principles of participatory development.
