Daijiworld Media Network - Mulugu
Mulugu, Feb 21: Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is likely to address a massive public meeting in Mulugu district in the second or third week of March as part of the Congress party’s nationwide protest against the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi has personally expressed interest in participating in the agitation and suggested that the Telangana Congress leadership organise a public rally in the Adivasi-dominated Mulugu Assembly segment, where a significant number of residents depend on the rural employment guarantee scheme for livelihood security.
The proposed programme is expected to be organised under the banner of the Congress’ nationwide campaign, “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram.” Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya alias Seethakka, who was recently appointed as a core member of the AICC coordination committee to oversee the campaign, has reportedly been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the public meeting in Mulugu.
Sources said Telangana holds historical significance in the evolution of MGNREGA, as the erstwhile United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is understood to have drawn heavily from the region’s rural employment experiences while shaping the legislation into a legal entitlement to work. This background, party leaders believe, makes the state a symbolic and strategic choice for launching a large-scale protest.
The issue is learnt to have figured prominently during a recent meeting between the Congress high command and the state Cabinet led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in New Delhi. Leaders reportedly reviewed both the political strategy surrounding the MGNREGA issue and the organisational preparedness for the proposed demonstration.
It may be recalled that the Congress government in Telangana had earlier passed a resolution in the Assembly opposing the repeal of MGNREGA and objecting to its proposed replacement with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act.
Why Mulugu?
Party insiders indicated that Rahul Gandhi favoured Mulugu due to its predominantly Adivasi population and the high enrolment of local residents under MGNREGA. With livelihoods in the region closely linked to the scheme, Congress leaders see the district as a powerful platform to amplify their opposition to the repeal and mobilise grassroots support.