Congress launches MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyaan against BJP's rural jobs plan The Congress has launched a nationwide campaign against the scrapping of MGNREGA, testing its ability to mobilise rural voters and energise cadres ahead of key state elections. AdvertisementCongress has launched a 45-day nationwide campaign to oppose the repeal of MGNREGAMausami SinghRahul GautamNew Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 17, 2026 02:09 ISTEdited By: Nitish K SinghThe Congress has launched a 45-day nationwide campaign to oppose the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, betting that the issue of rural jobs can still cut through in an election-heavy year. Flagged off on January 10 and running until February 25, the campaign has been branded “MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyaan.” It is aimed squarely at the Bharatiya Janata Party government’s decision to scrap the UPA-era jobs guarantee law and replace it with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-GRAMG. advertisementFor the Congress, this is a high-stakes political fight. The party sees MGNREGA as a lifeline for rural workers and farm labourers, and argues that its replacement shifts financial burden to already debt-stressed states. But it is also aware that this agitation is unlike the farm laws protests.
