Congress starts agitation for MGNREGA 'restoration'

The Congress leadership on Saturday launched an agitation against the Modi government's move to replace the UPA-era MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G employment scheme, holding press conferences at District Congress Committee offices across the country, the AICC said.

"Today (Saturday), the Indian National Congress is launching the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' with a press conference at each District Congress Committee office nationwide. The INC is committed to seeing this struggle through until we secure the restoration of the right to work, livelihood and accountability that the Modi government has taken away by dismantling MGNREGA," Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said.

Party circles are closely watching whether the proposed 40-day agitation will make a tangible impact or turn out to be another low-key exercise. Leaders believe the agitation could gather momentum during street protests planned in the second phase, and hope that senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra-currently reported to be abroad-will join some of the programmes by then.