The former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister further accused the ruling BJP of persistently engaging in “political vendetta” by unjustly implicating Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case.
“The government of India has committed a historic blunder. For the first time since our independence, a scheme named after the father of the nation has been altered. The government has single-handedly dismantled the only financial safety net that rural India had through the previous program known as MGNREGA,” Pilot stated.
While speaking to reporters, he mentioned that MGNREGA has been repealed without any consultation with state governments, stakeholders, or civil society. The parliament was exploited to showcase the “brute force of the majority” in passing this legislation.
This new law represents a systematic attack on the livelihood opportunities of the most marginalized, he noted, adding that “Examine the bill that was approved. Previously, (MGNREGA) operated as a demand-driven scheme. Now it is excessively centralized. The government of India will dictate which works should be done and when. In contrast, we (under MGNREGA) had empowered the Gram Sabhas.” The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was passed by Parliament amidst strong opposition regarding the “removal” of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. President Droupadi Murmu granted her assent to the Bill on December 21, making it an Act.
Pointing out that the funding ratio was previously 90% from the Government of India and 10% from state governments, the former union minister remarked that by altering it to 60:40, the entire burden of rural livelihood expenditure has been shifted onto state governments.
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The replacement of MGNREGA serves as a prime example of how this government operates against the interests of the most marginalized, he claimed.
“Civil society and all stakeholders have universally denounced this action. This move was unjustified, and the Congress party has taken a strong stance on how to oppose it. The Congress Working Committee will convene on December 27 in New Delhi to discuss our next steps. The INDI Alliance bloc is unified on this matter. We will exert all possible pressure to ensure this bill is rolled back,” he added.
Accusing the BJP of inciting political vendetta since assuming power in 2014 by wrongly accusing Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul in the National Herald case, Pilot mentioned that the court stated it would not acknowledge the case brought forth by the ED.
“The court ruling clearly indicates that the case was politically motivated… we feel vindicated,” he remarked.
A Delhi court recently declined to recognize the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering allegations against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul, and five others in the National Herald case.
