Congress protests against removal of Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA

Congress leaders, including Ministers, said that the BJP “shudders at the very mention of Gandhi’s name” and accused the party of attempting to erase the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru from the nation’s collective memory.

Protesting the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), following a call given by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), held a demonstration at the Gandhi statue in Secunderabad.

TPCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud criticised the BJP-led Central government for what he termed an “anti-democratic and vindictive decision.” He alleged that BJP leaders are uncomfortable with the legacy of the Gandhi family.

He alleged the BJP’s move to remove Gandhi’s name from the employment guarantee scheme is rooted in its ideological affinity towards Nathuram Godse. He recalled that the scheme was brought in after sustained efforts by Sonia Gandhi and the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to provide 100 days of guaranteed employment to rural households.

He pointed out that Vedma Bojju, who later became an MLA, had once worked under the employment guarantee scheme, highlighting the scheme’s role in empowering the poor.

IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu said that Mahatma Gandhi’s name is etched in the hearts of the people and cannot be erased by any government decision.

Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said the move hurts the dignity of every Indian and weakened a historic scheme introduced by the Congress to support the poorest of the poor.

The protest was also attended by Ministers Vakiti Srihari, Vivek Venkataswamy, Ponnam Prabhakar and Mohammad Azharuddin, former MP V. Hanumantha Rao, MLA Vedma Bojju, TPCC general secretaries, senior leaders and party cadres.