Congress used MGNREGA only for votes: BJP

Jammu, Dec 21: Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Zorawar Singh Jamwal Sunday accused the Congress of having failed to ensure transparency and sustainable livelihoods in rural areas while using MGNREGA as a political tool.

Reacting to the Congress opposition to the VB-GRAM G Bill replacing MGNREGA, Jamwal, in a press statement, said, “It was Mahatma Gandhi’s dream that farmers and villages should be empowered so that India becomes self-reliant. That was his vision. Today, on the same foundation, PM Modi has unleashed waves of progress over the last 11–12 years, which is why the BJP has come to power.”

Taking a sharp dig at the Congress, the BJP spokesperson alleged that under Congress rule, corruption, leakages and vote-bank politics weakened the scheme, while villages remained dependent and underdeveloped.

Jamwal further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP focused on outcome-based governance, rural infrastructure, skill development and self-employment.

“Unlike Congress, which believed in temporary relief, the BJP believes in permanent solutions. VB-GRAM G is aimed at empowering villages, strengthening farmers, and making rural India economically independent,” he added.

Zorawar Singh Jamwal said, “Calling policy reforms an “assassination” of Gandhi’s vision reflects Congress’s frustration after losing public trust. Congress ruled for decades but failed to fulfil Gandhiji’s dream of strong villages, while the BJP is working to realise it on the ground.”

He accused the Congress leadership of misleading the people on the issue.

“Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of establishing Ram Rajya in India was never given a second thought by Congress in its 70 years of rule. Instead, the BJP-led NDA government, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in just the last 11 to 12 years brought revolutionary reforms to make the country self-reliant, as dreamt by Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.