Opening Remarks by the Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge at Congress Working Committee’s Meeting on December 27, 2025, at AICC Headquarters- Indira Bhawan in New Delhi.

CPP Chairperson, respected Sonia Gandhi ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi ji, and esteemed members of the CWC, a warm welcome to all of you.

We have gathered today to deliberate and plan future strategies at a time when democracy, the Constitution, and citizens’ rights in the country are under serious threat.

In the recent winter session of Parliament, the Modi government ended MGNREGA, leaving millions of poor and vulnerable people helpless. Along with kicking the poor in the stomach, the Modi government has stabbed them in the back.

Ending MGNREGA is an insult to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. As Sonia Gandhi ji recently wrote: “MGNREGA realised the Mahatma’s vision of Sarvodaya (‘welfare of all’) and enacted the constitutional right to work. Its death is our collective moral failure — one that will have financial and human consequences for crores of India’s working peoples for years to come. It is imperative, now more than ever, to unite and safeguard the rights that protect us all.” These are the rights given in Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) of the Constitution, on which the UPA government did significant work, such as the Right to Work, Right to Food, Right to Education, and Right to Health. I am saddened that the Modi government has launched a deliberate and cruel attack on the Right to Work.

The Modi government prioritised the profits of a few large corporates over the welfare of the poor, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s opposition to privilege and monopoly.

Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to say, “I hate privilege and monopoly. Whatever cannot be shared with the masses is taboo to me.”

Friends, MGNREGA is such a visionary step of the UPA government that it was appreciated worldwide. When I was the Labour Minister, I used to attend ILO conferences of G-20 countries, and the Prime Ministers and ministers of other countries praised this scheme immensely. I can vouch for this.

On February 02, 2006, Sonia Gandhi ji and Dr. Manmohan Singh ji launched MGNREGA in Bundlapalli, Andhra Pradesh. This scheme changed the face of rural India. It became the world’s largest rural employment program. It stopped migration, freed villages from famine, hunger, and exploitation. This scheme gave confidence to Dalits, tribals, women, and landless laborers that the government stands with them in the fight against poverty.

Thanks to MGNREGA that today, there is an entire generation in India that has overcome poverty, reached schools, received an education, and is living with dignity.

Seeing the impact of this scheme, it was dedicated in the name of the Father of the Nation. But the Modi government, without any study or evaluation, without consulting the states or political parties, abolished it and imposed a new law. All the work like the three black agricultural laws was done.

At this time, a nationwide movement is needed. There should be strong opposition to it in every corner of the country. Because back in January 2015, when the Modi government changed the land acquisition law in favour of corporate interests, Congress people took to the streets and forced the government to back down.

Then, in June 2020, during the lockdown, Modi ji brought in an Ordinance and imposed three black agricultural laws. Even after opposition in Parliament, the laws were passed. In protest, more than 700 farmers sacrificed their lives. The government laid down nails, sprayed water, and suppressed them.

We stood firm for the rights of the farmers and in November 2021, the Prime Minister had to apologize to the farmers and withdraw the laws. Rahul ji had predicted the rollback of these black laws a long time ago. And recently, he also predicted that the Modi government will have to reinstate MGNREGA.

Comrades, in the past 76 years, the Constitution has taught the citizens of the country so much that no dictator can take away their rights.

But it is our collective responsibility to make a solid plan for MGNREGA, nationwide. We will win this fight. In this difficult situation, vulnerable people across the country are looking to the Congress Party. Friends, a year ago in Belagavi, Karnataka, we started the ‘Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan.’

Till now, the process of appointing new District Presidents has been completed in nearly 500 districts across the country. The process will be completed in the remaining districts within the next 120 days.

But the matter is not limited to appointments only. We have to make the organization active, accountable, and combative at the state, district, block, division, and booth levels.

Elections are to be held in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry in April-May 2026. Our preparations are ongoing.

We will fight the elections in an organized manner, with complete unity, and strengthen democracy. Friends, today SIR is a matter of serious concern. It is a deliberate conspiracy to limit democratic rights. Rahul Ji has repeatedly presented evidence of ‘vote theft’ to the nation with facts and examples.

The collusion between BJP and the Election Commission is well-known. Therefore, we must ensure that the names of our voters are not removed.

We need to ensure that the names of people from poor and marginalized sections, especially Dalits, Tribals, Extremely Backward Classes, and minorities, are not removed from the voter list. Nor should they be transferred to other booths. For this, our BLAs must go door-to-door with the voter list.

In the states where elections are to be held in 2027, we should also start working together from now on, preparing everything right from voter lists onwards.

Friends, in the past 11 years, the country has seen how institutions like the ED, IT, and CBI are being misused. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar are busy tarnishing the image of our leaders over the National Herald issue. We are fighting a legal battle. ‘Satyamev Jayate’—Rahul Ji always says this—and we will win.

Friends, the recent attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have concerned the entire country. We strongly condemn them.

Another thing that comes to my mind is that two days ago, on the occasion of Christmas, in many areas, people from BJP, RSS, and related organizations worked to disturb brotherhood and harmony. This has tarnished our image in front of the world.

There are many issues, but with these words, I conclude my speech. I urge all of you to give your suggestions briefly on the ACTION PLAN for MGNREGA and other important issues.

Thank you!