Raj Bhavan Chalo to Save MGNREGA: DCM D.K. Shivakumar Announces State-wide Protest

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Bengaluru : Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced a massive “Raj Bhavan Chalo” movement scheduled for Tuesday to protest against the central government’s move to scrap the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Speaking to the media near the KPCC office on Monday, he emphasized that the protest would not be limited to the capital but would extend to every taluk and panchayat across the state. He stated that a minimum of a five-kilometer padayatra (march) would be organized in each taluk to create awareness among the rural masses about the loss of their constitutional right to employment.

Reflecting on the history of the scheme, Shivakumar noted that MGNREGA was a landmark legislation brought 20 years ago by the Manmohan Singh government under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. He expressed shock over the current administration’s attempt to dismantle a system that has provided a safety net for millions of rural citizens. According to him, the scheme accounted for works worth nearly 6,000 crore rupees annually in Karnataka alone, providing much-needed livelihoods. He vowed that the Congress party, under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, would continue the struggle until the employment guarantee rights are restored.

Drawing a parallel to the farmers’ protest against the “black” agricultural laws, the Deputy Chief Minister asserted that the fight against the new Gram-G Act would follow a similar trajectory. He challenged the feasibility of the central government’s new alternatives, stating that based on his experience as a rural representative, the proposed changes are impossible to implement effectively. He also questioned the funding source for the new schemes, demanding that the Centre provide clarity and financial backing instead of shifting the burden onto the states. Shivakumar reiterated that the state government is fully prepared to raise this issue and pass a resolution in the Assembly.

Responding to political jibes from JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy regarding his aspirations to become Chief Minister in 2028, Shivakumar dismissed the comments, stating he did not wish to speak of “inauspicious” things on a historic day like Republic Day. He clarified that his politics is driven by public service and the welfare of the state’s citizens, rather than family interests. He also touched upon the Governor’s recent actions in the Assembly, noting that while it is a constitutional duty for the Governor to read the address provided by the government, the state remains committed to protecting the sanctity of the Constitution regardless of such hurdles.

Concluding his message, Shivakumar extended Republic Day greetings to the people of Karnataka. He highlighted the state government’s unique initiative of making the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution mandatory in all schools. This move, he said, is aimed at instilling constitutional values in the younger generation. He reaffirmed that the current government stands as a bulwark against any attempts to weaken the democratic framework or the rights of the poor, promising that the protection of the Constitution remains their highest priority.