Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the recent changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, stating that the Congress government in the state would challenge the amendments both legally and politically. He argued that the revised framework undermines the very foundation of the employment guarantee programme and places an unsustainable financial burden on states.
Explaining his objections, Shivakumar said the new changes fundamentally alter how the scheme operates. He pointed out that earlier, gram panchayats had the authority to decide and execute crucial works, particularly those related to water conservation and rural development. Under the revised system, he alleged, key decisions are being centralised in Delhi. He further said that expecting states to shoulder nearly 40 per cent of the expenditure is unrealistic and financially unviable, especially for welfare-oriented governments.
Shivakumar accused the Centre of imposing the changes unilaterally without holding consultations with state governments. He said that any major policy decision affecting a national programme like MGNREGA should have been discussed with states before implementation. Emphasising that Karnataka would not accept the move, he declared that the Congress would approach the courts and also take the fight to the streets through protests and mass mobilisation.
The Deputy Chief Minister added that the Congress plans to organise meetings at the district, divisional and state levels to build public awareness and opposition against the changes. He described MGNREGA as not merely a welfare scheme but as a guarantee of dignity, livelihood and survival for rural citizens. Reiterating that the programme was introduced by the Congress as a “right to work,” he said the amendments would face resistance across the country and that the party would formally pass resolutions opposing them.
Turning to the controversy surrounding the National Herald, Shivakumar strongly defended the publication, saying it is a party-owned newspaper with a deep historical legacy. He said National Herald played an important role during India’s freedom struggle and symbolised the democratic values of the Congress. Stressing the party’s credentials, he said no one could question the Congress’s commitment to democracy or its contribution to the independence movement, recalling that the paper was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru.
His remarks came amid reports that the Congress-led Karnataka government had spent a substantial amount on advertisements in National Herald, allegedly more than on any other national daily, despite the paper having limited circulation in the state. Shivakumar did not directly address the spending figures but defended the newspaper’s legitimacy and historical importance.
Commenting on state politics, Shivakumar said there was a strong possibility that the Janata Dal (Secular) could eventually merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Referring to the political approach of JDS leader H. D. Kumaraswamy, he said such a merger would actually benefit the Congress by allowing it to directly confront the BJP without a third force complicating electoral contests. He added that the sooner such a merger happened, the better it would be for the Congress.
These remarks were made at an event where Shivakumar welcomed Chamarajpet JDS leader Govindaraj, along with several supporters, into the Congress fold. He said Govindaraj had decided to join Congress because there was no viable future arrangement possible for him within the JDS-BJP framework.
Shivakumar also touched upon preparations for the proposed Greater Bengaluru Authority elections, noting strong interest among aspirants. He said that 779 applications had already been issued across the five proposed municipal corporations following the division of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. Urging potential candidates to apply early, he warned that late submissions would make scrutiny and evaluation more difficult for the party.
