The Punjab Congress launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) this Sunday, condemning its planned nationwide awareness campaign for the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin), popularly known as VB-G RAM G. The state's Congress unit accused the saffron party of attempting to defend policies that are fundamentally unjustifiable.
Congress Labels BJP Campaign as a Diversion Tactic
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, spearheaded the criticism. He asserted that the BJP's sudden push for an awareness drive stems from its anxiety over the Congress party's own nationwide movement, the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram'. Warring suggested that the ruling party is now scrambling to manage the public narrative after a legislative misstep.
In his reaction to the BJP's announcement, the Ludhiana Member of Parliament pointed to the manner in which the related legislation was passed. "The BJP first tried to bring the legislation in Parliament stealthily on the penultimate day of the winter session and rushed through to pass it, and is now trying to mislead people outside," Warring stated.
Questions Over Parliamentary Debate and Fund Allocation
Through a formal written statement, the Congress leader posed a critical question about the legislative process. He asked, "If the BJP had nothing to hide and really wanted the people to know about the VB-G RAM G, why did it not allow a detailed debate in Parliament?" This, according to Warring, is a clear sign that the government is attempting to divert public attention from a policy it now realizes was a mistake.
Drawing a parallel to the contentious farm laws, Warring issued a stark warning: "The VB-G RAM G legislation will also meet the same fate as the three farm laws, which the BJP govt was forced to withdraw with an apology to the farmers." He emphasized that while the farm laws primarily affected farmers, the new legislation targets a broader marginalized population.
Warring highlighted that the VB-G RAM G scheme adversely impacts Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), tribal communities, and women—all key beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Congress leader shifted focus to financial allocations, demanding an explanation for the reduction in central funding for MGNREGA wages.
"Instead of trying to divert public attention, the BJP should explain why it cut the allocation of funds for MGNREGA labour from 100% to 60%," Warring challenged. He provided clarity on the previous funding structure, noting that under MGNREGA, the Centre bore 100% of the labour cost within a 90:10 ratio framework, where the remaining 10% was for materials.
Political Repercussions and Public Perception
This confrontation sets the stage for a significant political battle in Punjab and at the national level, centering on rural employment and welfare schemes. The Congress's aggressive stance aims to corner the BJP on an issue that directly affects livelihood security for millions in rural India. The comparison to the repealed farm laws is a strategic move to tap into existing rural discontent and frame the new legislation as another anti-poor measure.
The success of the BJP's proposed awareness campaign now faces a formidable challenge from the Congress's counter-narrative, which frames it as an act of desperation rather than genuine public outreach. The coming weeks will reveal how this war of words translates into ground-level political mobilization.
