Overview On January 27, 2026 , Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government intends to “destroy” MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) . Gandhi claims the motive is to strip workers of their right to negotiate wages, strip panchayats of their power, and centralize power in Delhi, pushing the country back to an era of concentrated power. The Congress party has launched a nationwide campaign to protect MGNREGA. Key Allegations by Rahul Gandhi Wage Negotiation Rights: Gandhi alleges the government aims to strip workers of their ability to negotiate daily wages. Panchayat Empowerment: He claims the government intends to weaken the power of panchayats. Centralization of Power: Gandhi asserts the government is centralizing power in Delhi, diminishing the authority of states. Historical Regression: He suggests these actions are pushing India back to an era where power and wealth were concentrated in the hands of a few. Congress's Response MGNREGA Bachao Sangram: On January 10, 2026 , the Congress launched a 45-day nationwide campaign called ' MGNREGA Bachao Sangram ' against the repeal of MGNREGA. Demand for Withdrawal: The Congress demands the government withdraw the new Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G Act . Restoration of MGNREGA: The party aims to fully restore the UPA-era MGNREGA . MGNREGA Workers' Perspective According to MGNREGA workers, the law provided livelihood security, but the government intends to “destroy” the initiative. They claim the current government is “enslaving workers”. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam , particularly for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Polity, Social Justice) and GS Paper 3 (Economy) . It touches upon government policies, rural employment, and decentralization of power. Potential UPSC Questions Analyze the impact of MGNREGA on rural poverty and employment. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of MGNREGA in achieving its objectives. Discuss the challenges faced by MGNREGA and suggest measures to improve its implementation. Compare and contrast MGNREGA with the proposed VB-G RAM G Act . Examine the role of Panchayats in the implementation of MGNREGA . Key Terms for UPSC MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Panchayats: Local self-government institutions at the village level VB-G RAM G Act: Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)