MGNREGA Emerges as Opposition's Principal Parliamentary Weapon Against Modi Government
As the budget session of Parliament commences, the opposition INDIA bloc has identified the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as its principal issue to target the Narendra Modi government. The demand for reviving the flagship rural job scheme is expected to trigger stormy exchanges in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha throughout the session.
Opposition Coordination Meeting Sets Parliamentary Strategy
In a significant coordination meeting held in the chamber of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, opposition leaders finalized their strategy for the crucial parliamentary session. The gathering, which preceded the commencement of the budget session, saw participation from key INDIA bloc representatives including Rahul Gandhi, DMK's TR Baalu, RSP's NK Premachandran, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Arvind Sawant, SP's Javed Ali Khan, CPM's John Brittas, CPI's P Sandosh, Congress's KC Venugopal, Kodikunnil Suresh, Manickam Tagore, and RJD's Prem Chand Gupta.
The opposition alliance decided to fully participate in the parliamentary proceedings that include the Union budget presentation and the Motion of Thanks to the President's joint address. However, the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has also found a place on the opposition's parliamentary agenda alongside the MGNREGA issue.
Immediate Protest During President's Address Signals Opposition Intent
The opposition's determination became immediately apparent during President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of Parliament. When the President mentioned the VB-GRAMG scheme that will replace MGNREGA, opposition MPs collectively stood up and raised slogans in protest. This demonstration of unity, though respectful and dignified according to opposition leaders, visibly riled the government benches.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh clarified the opposition's position stating, "Today during the President's address, all opposition parties most respectfully and in a dignified manner protested the bulldozed repeal of MGNREGA. The opposition will use all democratic means to demand the restoration of MGNREGA." This statement unequivocally establishes the job scheme as the front and centre of the opposition's parliamentary agenda.
Strategic Calculations Behind MGNREGA Focus
The opposition's concentrated focus on MGNREGA appears strategically calculated, influenced by several key factors:
- Upcoming assembly elections in five states have increased the political significance of rural employment issues
- Unanimity among opposition parties on the MGNREGA issue provides rare common ground
- Concerns that disbanding MGNREGA poses a serious threat to distress employment for economically vulnerable populations
- Apprehensions about the financial burden shifting to states under the proposed VB-GRAMG scheme
Since the MGNREGA subject will automatically become part of discussions on the Union budget and subsequently figure in debates on the motion of thanks, it provides the opposition with ample parliamentary opportunities to amplify their concerns and target the ruling BJP.
Internal Uncertainties Within Opposition Alliance
Despite the apparent unity, some uncertainty persists within the INDIA bloc regarding their parliamentary strategy. The initial absence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) from coordination discussions has created questions about the alliance's cohesion. As TMC representatives are expected to join parliamentary proceedings in coming days, their independent actions could potentially influence the opposition's unified approach.
This uncertainty stems from Mamata Banerjee's party having historically forced the hands of other allies through independent parliamentary actions in the past. How TMC engages with the MGNREGA issue and parliamentary participation could significantly impact the opposition's coordinated strategy against the government.
The stage is now set for what promises to be a contentious budget session, with MGNREGA restoration emerging as the primary battleground between the government and opposition in Parliament.
