Lucknow is bracing for a major showdown as the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee launches a siege on the state assembly today. Party leaders, undeterred by heavy police deployment, are rallying workers from across districts to highlight what they call a BJP conspiracy to dismantle the MGNREGA scheme.
Congress MP Kishori Lal Sharma, speaking exclusively to reporters, declared full readiness for the protest. ‘Our state committee has called for this assembly siege under the ‘Save MGNREGA’ campaign,’ he said. Despite authorities placing senior leaders under house arrest in multiple districts, activists are converging on the capital.
Sharma slammed the central government’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ push, arguing it masks an agenda harmful to laborers. ‘The BJP is flipping the narrative on this scheme, but we’re here to expose the truth,’ he asserted. He criticized the shift to a 60-40 funding model, which places undue burden on states, many of which can’t even contribute 10 percent.
The MP warned that this strategy signals the scheme’s impending end, shifting costs to states in a move detrimental to rural economies. ‘The BJP’s governance style spells trouble for the public ahead,’ he added.
Police crackdown has been swift, with former state president Ajay Lallu and others detained. Local leaders face similar restrictions, complicating the influx of protesters. Yet, the Congress vows to press on, focusing on MGNREGA’s fate, soaring inflation, unemployment, and law-order failures.
This democratic assertion aims to awaken public awareness, urging the government to address these pressing issues before it’s too late. As workers gather, the streets of Lucknow could witness a pivotal moment in opposition politics.