The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central Government, accusing it of undermining the interests of the poor by discontinuing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and introducing the VBGRAMG Act in its place.

The party asserted that citizens across the state have strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to implement the new legislation. As part of its protest, the TPCC organized a ‘Lok Bhawan Abhiyan’ in Agartala, demanding the restoration of MNREGA and opposing the rollout of the VBGRAMG Act.

Speaking at the gathering, TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha said the movement aims to protect the rights and welfare of economically disadvantaged communities. He noted that the protest, which began on January 10, has drawn significant participation from underprivileged sections of society.

“People have joined this movement in large numbers because MNREGA has played a crucial role in improving their socio-economic conditions,” Saha said.

Highlighting the Congress party’s role in launching MNREGA, he described the scheme as a guarantee of 100 days of wage employment annually for rural households. According to him, MNREGA has served as a vital support system for labourers and working-class families, while also reinforcing the Panchayati Raj framework.

Saha further alleged that the BJP government has steadily weakened the scheme and has now effectively replaced it. He claimed that the move would favour corporate interests and create instability for rural communities.

“Through VBGRAMG, the government intends to control the functioning of panchayats and fix wage structures, which undermines democratic values and basic rights,” he alleged.

The TPCC chief also stated that during Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s recent visit to promote the VBGRAMG initiative, the proposal was not well received by the people of Tripura.

Concluding his address, Saha said the large turnout at the rally reflected the public’s desire to retain MNREGA and strengthen rural development through the existing framework. He reiterated the party’s demand for the immediate restoration of the scheme.