BJP uses Gandhi, Lord Ram for propaganda, don’t follow their ideals: Surjewala on VB-G RAM G

Criticizing the Narendra Modi government for replacing the rural job guarantee law MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that the BJP respects neither Mahatma Gandhi nor Lord Ram and is using them for “propaganda”.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Mr. Surjewala claimed that the replacement of UPA-era MGNREGA with Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act has affected the livelihood of nearly 50 crore poor people.

“For the last 11 years, Mahatma Gandhi’s spectacles were borrowed for propaganda purposes, but his ideals were ignored. Similarly, the BJP seized power in the name of Lord Ram, but his ideals were ignored. This is the way the BJP runs the government,” he said.

Mahatma Gandhi claimed that the amendment of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) directly affected around 12.5 crore poor, tribal, Dalit and backward class people.

“When we put together the family members, the BJP government’s decision affected a total of 50 crore people,” he claimed.

Mr. Surjewala said MGNREGA is a demand-driven system and any worker can approach the panchayat and seek employment.

“If work was not provided within a few days, wages had to be paid. This was MGNREGA. But under the new law, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has determined that everything will be decided from Delhi. People sitting in Delhi will say which state, district or village will get how much work,” he said.

The Congress MP said MGNREGA is fully centrally funded but States will have to bear 40% of the cost under VB-G RAM G.

“As you know, states cannot pay 40 percent of the funds, the idea of ​​providing jobs to the poor will automatically stop,” he claimed.

State Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu said that the party will launch ‘MGNREGA Bachho Sangram’ in Odisha on January 10 and will continue till February 25.

“There will be public meetings from the district to the state level against the new law that hits poor people,” he said.