As 2025 draws to a close, a new political flashpoint has emerged between the BJP-led government and the Congress-led Opposition. The Centre’s decision to replace the long-standing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new framework has sparked sharp debate ahead of the 2026 political calendar.
From MGNREGA to G Ram G Act
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, introduced in 2005 under the UPA government, guaranteed 100 days of unskilled employment each year to rural households. Over two decades, it became one of the most recognisable welfare schemes associated with the Congress and the Gandhi family.
In its place, the government has enacted the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), commonly referred to as the G Ram G Act, 2025. The new law aims to restructure rural wage employment while extending guaranteed work to 125 days annually.
Political Implications
The move has intensified political friction, with the Opposition accusing the government of dismantling a flagship social security programme. The BJP, meanwhile, argues that the revamped scheme reflects changing rural needs and aligns with its broader development vision under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ framework.
A New Battleground for 2026
By replacing a law closely tied to the Gandhi family’s legacy, the government has opened up a symbolic and strategic front in its contest with the Congress. The debate is expected to resonate strongly in rural India and may become a key talking point in the run-up to major elections in 2026.
Whether the G Ram G Act delivers on its promise of expanded employment or becomes a political liability will likely shape the next phase of the BJP versus Gandhi family narrative.
