In a bold tribute to the Father of the Nation, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress President DK Shivakumar announced on Tuesday that nearly 6,000 gram panchayat offices across the state will be renamed in honor of Mahatma Gandhi. The decision, unveiled during a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, underscores the Congress party’s commitment to preserving Gandhi’s enduring legacy.
Speaking at the ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo – Save Mahatma Gandhi MGNREGA Struggle’ event, Shivakumar emphasized that this move ensures Gandhi’s vision of self-reliant villages—complete with schools, cooperatives, and panchayats—remains alive. ‘This is the Congress party’s resolve,’ he declared, crediting party leaders like KPCC Vice President VS Ugrappa for pushing the initiative through representations to the Chief Minister.
The announcement comes amid a fierce defense of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which Shivakumar hailed as a revolutionary scheme launched under the UPA government led by Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. He recounted how the scheme provided 100 days of wage employment to rural poor, earning global acclaim from the World Bank in 2013 as one of the world’s best programs.
Shivakumar lambasted the NDA government for tampering with the act, changing its name, and shifting funding burdens—now 60% central and 40% state—making it unfeasible even in BJP-ruled states. ‘MGNREGA is a people’s movement for village development. BJP is spreading unemployment nationwide,’ he charged, vowing protests until the original scheme is restored, drawing parallels to the farmers’ victory against farm laws.
Highlighting his Kanakapura constituency’s success, where MGNREGA funds enable Rs 200 crore in annual development, Shivakumar dismissed central probes as politically motivated, noting they ended in awards for effective implementation. He challenged Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and BJP leaders to debate, questioning their inaction over 11 years in power.
Accusing the Centre of withholding funds and undermining farmers, workers, and panchayats, Shivakumar outlined upcoming taluk-level padayatras led by ministers, MLAs, and MLCs to rally MGNREGA workers. ‘We don’t want Viksit Bharat Gram; we want Gandhi’s vision. Arrest us, jail us—we won’t back down,’ he thundered, rallying supporters for the long fight ahead.