MGNREGA bachao: Congress vows to restore scheme in Punjab

Patiala: The Punjab Congress on Saturday launched a fierce attack on both the BJP-led Centre and the AAP govt in the state, pledging to restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and safeguard the rights of the poor.Addressing a massive rally under the banner of ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram', state Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring dismissed speculation about factionalism and CM aspirants within the party. "There is no race for chief ministership. We are united to free Punjab from an inefficient, corrupt government," he said. Warring accused the Modi govt of "snatching away a constitutional right" by curtailing the scheme and slammed AAP for failing to provide jobs under MGNREGA in Punjab. "This scheme is globally acknowledged as the best pro-poor initiative. It guaranteed 100 days of work to rural families. Now, employment depends on the whims of the government," he said, vowing to fight till the scheme is fully restored.Former Chhattisgarh CM and AICC general secretary Bhupesh Baghel said the overwhelming response to the rallies proved people's faith in Congress. "We will not rest until MGNREGA is reinstated. Congress has always fought for the poor and will continue to do so," he asserted.Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa declared that "winds of change" were sweeping Punjab. He promised that the Congress government in 2027 would make special budgetary provisions for MGNREGA. "People have no expectations from AAP. Congress will fulfill their aspirations," he said, adding that the party would crush gangsters within a month of coming to power, just as it ended terrorism in the state. Bajwa also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, citing daily killings and unchecked drug menace.Senior leader Vijay Inder Singla, addressing a rally in Sangrur, vowed that Congress would not allow BJP to "snatch the livelihood of the poor and marginalized at any cost."The rally witnessed the presence of several top leaders, including Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Amar Singh, Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and Mohit Mohindra.