The political landscape in Karnataka has been set ablaze by the Central government's proposal to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and introduce a new law in its place. This move has triggered a fierce confrontation between the ruling Congress in the state and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), putting the leadership of BJP's state president, B.Y. Vijayendra, under intense scrutiny.
A Major Test for BJP's State Leadership
Senior BJP functionaries acknowledge that the issue presents a significant challenge for the party's state unit. The Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, is orchestrating a multi-pronged offensive against the Centre's decision. Their strategy includes plans for a special session of the state legislature, legal challenges in court, and statewide public rallies.
According to party insiders, the BJP's high command is closely watching how effectively Vijayendra can counter this Congress onslaught. His ability to unite various factions within the state BJP while robustly defending the proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin Act (G-RAM-G) is seen as a key metric of his leadership. BJP state general secretary P Rajiv expressed confidence, stating that while the challenge is substantial, the young president is capable of turning it into an opportunity to strengthen the party's organizational base.
BJP's Counter-Offensive and Outreach Strategy
In response, Vijayendra has swiftly rolled out an outreach program mandated by the party high command to build public awareness about the benefits of the new Act. Last week, he conducted a series of meetings and formed district-level teams headed by senior leaders. Notably, former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar have been tasked with leading some of these teams.
The plan involves conducting workshops for taluk-level functionaries, who will then be responsible for organizing village-level meetings, especially in rural areas. To present a united National Democratic Alliance (NDA) front, Vijayendra held a joint press conference with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD(S). Vijayendra accused the Congress of corruption, alleging that funds worth Rs 12 lakh crore were embezzled under MNREGA during the UPA's ten-year rule. He asserted that G-RAM-G would bring transparency and fairness.
Congress Prepares for Legal and Public Battle
On the other side, the Congress is gearing up for a full-fledged battle. Senior leaders are consulting legal experts to explore options for challenging the new Act either in the High Court or the Supreme Court. Simultaneously, the party's state unit is finalizing plans for extensive protests and rallies across Karnataka.
Officials indicate that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already begun examining the procedural requirements for convening a special session of the legislature, with the cabinet expected to discuss potential dates next week. Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, stated that the aim is to expose the Centre's "oppressive nature" through this "undemocratic and unconstitutional" law. The special session is likely to be held before the Union Budget on February 1, followed by court cases and public agitation.
As the political temperature rises, the debate over MNREGA's replacement has become the central flashpoint in Karnataka's politics, with both sides digging in for a prolonged conflict that will test their strategic and organizational mettle.
