As the 2027 Assembly elections approach, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and its revamped version, G RAM G, have emerged as critical tools for political parties to advance their electoral strategies.
The ongoing debate surrounding the reforms to MGNREGA has inadvertently benefited the Congress Party, uniting its often-divided factions under a common cause. To capitalize on this momentum, the party has initiated a series of ‘Save MGNREGA’ rallies that commenced on January 8 and are scheduled to continue until January 12. These gatherings, taking place in rural and semi-rural areas of Punjab such as Tanda, Balachaur, Samrala, Rajpura, and Tarn Taran, are attended by senior leaders including Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab in-charge, and co-incharge Ravinder Dalvi.
Guided by directives from top leadership, party officials are expected to attend all ten rallies organized during this period, with Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh expressing his commitment to participate in nearly all events. This collaborative effort signifies a strategic move to display unity, particularly since Pargat and fellow party member Warring typically do not share the same platform due to previous disagreements.
Insider opinions suggest that by having Pargat lead speeches at these rallies, the Congress might either be attempting to placate his ambitions or assessing his capacity for future roles within the party. With MGNREGA being a significant initiative for Rahul Gandhi since its inception, strong performances at these rallies may favorably position leaders for recognition from the central leadership.
Interestingly, a recent poster shared by Bhupesh Baghel regarding the rallies conspicuously omitted images of any Punjab leaders, including the PCC chief. This decision may suggest a deliberate attempt to avoid projecting any singular power center and to evaluate all leaders equally for potential future decisions.
Key figures in the party, such as Partap Bajwa and Sukhjinder Randhawa, are participating in the rallies, though notable absences, like that of former Chief Minister Charanjit Channi, have raised eyebrows given his current attendance at a parliamentary meeting in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Ultimately, these rallies not only serve to reinforce the significance of MGNREGA within Congress’s electoral message but also reflect the party’s tactical maneuvering in the lead-up to the crucial elections, potentially paving the way for strengthening connections with rural voters.