In a strongly-worded video message on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for repealing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Calling the newly passed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill a “black law,” Gandhi accused the Centre of dismantling a 20-year-old “revolutionary” safety net for the rural poor without any consultation or consensus.
‘Bulldozing MGNREGA’: Key Allegations by Sonia Gandhi
Gandhi highlighted several concerns regarding the transition from MGNREGA to the new framework:
- Removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s Name: She expressed deep regret that the name of the Father of the Nation was dropped from the scheme, calling it an insult to his vision of Gram Swaraj.
- Centralization of Power: She claimed the new law allows the Centre to “sit in Delhi and decide” employment levels, effectively turning a rights-based, demand-driven guarantee into a “rationed” scheme.
- Attack on the Poor: Gandhi stated that the government had “run a bulldozer” over a scheme that served as a lifeline for millions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Lack of Consultation: She alleged the bill was “bulldozed” through Parliament during the Winter Session without being sent to a Standing Committee for scrutiny.
“I am determined to fight this black law. Twenty years ago, I fought to secure the right to employment; today, I remain committed to fighting for our poor brothers and sisters again,” she emphasized.
VB-G RAM G Bill vs. MGNREGA: What has Changed?
The NDA government defends the new legislation as a modern upgrade designed to eliminate corruption and create durable assets.
| Feature | MGNREGA (Old) | VB-G RAM G Bill (New) |
| Guaranteed Workdays | 100 days per household | 125 days per household |
| Funding Pattern | 100% Central funding for wages | 60:40 Centre-State split (for most states) |
| Funding Nature | Demand-driven (Open-ended) | Supply-driven (Capped/Normative) |
| Agricultural Pause | Work available year-round | Mandatory 60-day pause during peak seasons |
| Asset Creation | Focused on manual labor | Integrated with National Infrastructure Stack |
Opposition in Uproar
The passage of the bill triggered unprecedented scenes in Parliament this week:
- Protests: Opposition MPs trooped into the well of the House, with some reportedly tearing copies of the bill in protest.
- Overnight Dharna: Following the midnight passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, several Opposition MPs staged a 12-hour overnight protest at the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex.
- Next Steps: The Congress has scheduled a CWC meeting on December 27 to finalize a strategy for a nationwide agitation against the law.