BJP, JD(S) welcome special session in Karnataka Assembly on VB-G RAM G
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) on Saturday welcomed the Karnataka government's decision to convene a two-day special session of the Legislative Assembly to discuss the VB-G RAM G Act, which replaces the MGNREGA.
Addressing a joint press meet, Union Minister and JD(S) second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra claimed that the Congress was "spreading misinformation" about the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) Act.
"The Congress government is spreading a false narrative on VB-G RAM G. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wants to convene a special session on this, and we welcome the decision," Vijayendra said.
"We will discuss on the floor of the House what the Congress did to the country through MGNREGA during the UPA era and what PM Narendra Modi-led NDA has done in the past 11 years," he further said.
Vijayendra said that when the number of working days has been increased from 100 to 120 days, there should be accountability in the system and no wastage of money.
"When lakhs of crores of rupees have been spent on the MGNREGA, is it wrong on the part of the prime minister, the BJP, or the NDA government to ensure there is no pilferage or leakage of funds," the BJP state chief asked.
He said during the NDA tenure, more than Rs 7 lakh crore was spent on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme.
Vijayendra underlined that PM's vision—also aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision—is to see India emerge as a developed nation, with villages having good infrastructure and overall development.
He alleged that the Congress "never believed in schemes but believed in scams" and that because of such scams, India could not emerge as a developed nation.
"The prime minister wants to bring changes to the scheme to benefit rural people. When he wants to ensure accountability and zero corruption, the Congress is opposing it," the Shikaripura MLA said.
On his part, Kumaraswamy said the Centre has revamped MGNREGA to strengthen rural livelihoods while improving infrastructure, dismissing opposition criticism as "propaganda against a reform-driven welfare mission."
The union minister said MGNREGA has been rechristened as the VB-G RAM G to bring transparency, efficiency and long-term impact.
He added that welfare and infrastructure development must move together, as both are complementary and indispensable.
"The number of workdays has been increased from 100 to 125 days, ensuring greater income security for rural people, with the daily wage fixed at Rs 370," Kumaraswamy said.
He rejected claims that employment rights were being curtailed.
Kumaraswamy said wage payments have been mandated weekly or within 14 days, while agriculture has been protected through a provision of 60 flexible off-days during peak seasons.
He added that corruption and leakages are being checked through AI technology, GPS tracking and real-time dashboards, and that special job cards will cover single women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, transgender persons and vulnerable tribal groups.
Meanwhile, reacting to Kumaraswamy and Vijayendra's stand on MGNREGA, Siddaramaiah said the state government was prepared for discussions.
"We are ready for a debate and, if required, would even launch a major agitation," he said.
Siddaramaiah on Thursday said a special session of the state legislature would be convened soon to pass a resolution demanding the re-implementation of the MGNREGA.
The chief minister announced at a meeting of Congress legislators held at a hotel here to discuss the nationwide 'Save MGNREGA' movement organised by the AICC.
Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar, along with all ministers, MLAs and members of the Legislative Council, were present at the meeting.
The Congress has demanded that the Centre scrap the newly enacted VB-G RAM G and restore the MGNREGA.
The state Cabinet decided not to accept the VB-G RAM G Act, which replaces the MGNREGA, and resolved to initiate a legal challenge against it.
"A special session of the state legislature will be called soon to pass a resolution demanding the re-implementation of the MGNREGA," Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying in a release issued by his office.
The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed in Parliament during the recently concluded winter session amid vociferous protests by the opposition.
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Lost a good friend; void cannot be filled: Fadnavis mourns Ajit Pawar’s passing
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday described Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash as unbelievable, and said he had lost a good friend.
Fadnavis said “today” (January 28) will be a government holiday and there will be a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Pawar.
Ajit Pawar’s death has left a void that will never be filled, he said. “After working closely together, it is unbelievable that he is no more,” Fadnavis said.
Talking to reporters, Fadnavis described Pawar as a people’s leader who knew the state well and had a deep understanding of the issues in Maharashtra. He said it takes several years to build and establish such leadership.
Fadnavis said he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the tragedy. The CM said he had also spoken with Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule and his son Parth Pawar.
“Both (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde and I are leaving for Baramati now. Once their entire family gathers in Baramati, we will share further details,” he said.
The entire state stands by Pawar’s family and his party NCP in this hour of grief, he added.
Ajit Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others landed near Baramati, they said.
Several state BJP leaders, including Ashish Shelar, Ravindra Chavan and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, expressed deep grief over Pawar’s passing.
“This heart-wrenching incident has left the mind numb. Maharashtra has lost an experienced, dutiful and resolute leader,” state minister Shelar said.
Pawar left a distinct imprint on the state’s politics through his strong grip over administration, decisiveness and relentless drive for Maharashtra’s all-round progress. “Firmness, discipline, punctuality and tireless dedication were defining aspects of his personality,” he said.
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said Maharashtra’s politics was unimaginable without Pawar. He said Pawar was known as a dynamic leader with a powerful command over administration and an unwavering focus on the state’s comprehensive development.
He said Pawar held the record for serving the longest tenure as deputy CM in the state’s history and left an indelible mark while handling key portfolios such as irrigation, energy and finance. “With his passing, Maharashtra has lost a firm, disciplined, punctual and indefatigable leader. This void can never be filled,” Chavan said.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule described Pawar as a senior friend and guide. “Even now, it is difficult to accept that this tragedy has really happened,” he said. Pawar would be remembered as a true people’s leader who gave clear direction and unstoppable momentum to Maharashtra’s all-round development, Bawankule said.
Recalling Pawar’s immense administrative experience, Bawankule said he had personally sought the NCP leader’s advice on several occasions.
“The loss of Ajitdada is not merely the departure of one leader; it is a profound loss for Maharashtra itself. The nation has lost a visionary statesman, and I have lost a dear elder friend and guide,” Bawankule said, adding that the reality of Pawar no longer being among them felt impossible to accept.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expresses grief over the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in an aircraft crash. He says, “This morning, a very tragic incident occurred. In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief… pic.twitter.com/sKIKJ5FvRW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
