Rahul Gandhi slams Modi Government over MGNREGA, Constitution during Rae Bareli visit

Leader of the Opposition and Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi, during his two-day visit to his constituency, launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led central government, accusing them of weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and attempting to undermine the Constitution.

Addressing a public meeting during a MGNREGA chaupal on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Modi wants to concentrate all power in his own hands and push the poor towards hunger.

Advertisement

He said that removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA was an insult, but stressed that the real issue was not merely the change of name. “The main issue is that the security provided to the poor through this scheme is being taken away by the Modi government,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi accused the government of systematically “strangling” MGNREGA so that funds meant for workers, women and the poor could be diverted to big industrialists like Adani and Ambani. “They cannot end the scheme openly, so they are weakening it slowly,” he said, adding that the Congress party has launched a nationwide movement to protect MGNREGA and stand firmly with workers.

He also alleged that the central government wants to shift the financial burden of MGNREGA to the states by making them contribute 40 percent of the funds. “You will see that not a single BJP-ruled state will give this 40 percent share,” he claimed. Rahul Gandhi further said that the scheme, which was earlier run through panchayats, is now being pushed into the hands of officials, leading to delays in payments and weakening its impact.

The Congress leader said that MGNREGA, introduced by the Congress government, had helped millions come out of poverty, strengthened rural infrastructure, and provided a legal guarantee of employment. He recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many schemes failed, MGNREGA played a crucial role in protecting workers and the poor.

Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of wanting to abolish the Constitution. “They want to erase Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s ideals and Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology, and take India back to a pre-Independence era where people’s land and rights can be taken away,” he said.

He alleged that the current government works for Adani and Ambani, not for farmers and labourers, warning that such governance would cause severe harm to the country.

Reiterating that the Congress party stands for the protection of the Constitution, Rahul Gandhi said the fight today is to safeguard constitutional values, including the principle of one citizen, one vote. He urged people to unite and stand together against what he described as an attack on their rights, land and future.

AICC leader and Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma, who was also present, said that MGNREGA was designed to strengthen the rural economy by giving villages the power to plan works according to local needs. He alleged that under the new rules, the Centre is deciding what development works will be carried out in villages.

Questioning the BJP’s claims of providing 125 days of work, he said that even when there was a legal guarantee of 100 days, workers received only about 35 days of employment.

During his visit, Rahul Gandhi inaugurated development projects worth over ₹2.61 crore at the MP residence in Munshiganj and laid the foundation stone for road and other works worth around ₹50 lakh. He also met representatives of social organisations to hear their grievances.

Later in the day, he inaugurated the Raebareli Premier League T-20 cricket tournament at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in the ITI Colony, interacted with young players and encouraged youth participation in sports. He said such tournaments provide a positive direction to youth energy and promote local talent.

Rahul Gandhi also visited the residence of the municipal council chairperson to bless a newly married couple. Security arrangements remained tight throughout his visit. After completing his scheduled programmes, he left for Delhi from Fursatganj airport by special aircraft. District Congress President Pankaj Tiwari and other party leaders were present during the visit.