Imphal, January 4: Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, AICC (All India Congress Committee) In-Charge for Manipur, on Sunday said the Congress party will launch a nationwide protest over the next 45 days against changes to the MGNREGA Act, alleging that the original legislation has been abolished and replaced with a new law.
Ulaka was briefing the media upon his arrival at Imphal Airport, where he was received by MPCC Chief K. Meghachandra along with Manipur Congress party workers.
He said the decision was taken during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting and that the party has begun initiating preparatory steps across the country. “To initiate the process, I have come to Manipur for preparatory meetings and discussions with the leadership. We will also be holding press interactions as part of this exercise,” he said.
Ulaka added that his visit would also provide an opportunity to meet senior party leaders in the state and discuss organisational strategies, including preparations for the Manipur Assembly elections scheduled in 2027.
Referring to the Assam Assembly elections, Ulaka said Assam remains a key state for the Congress party and assured that full organisational support would be extended there.
Commenting on the V.B.G. Ramji Bill, Ulaka alleged that the BJP and RSS share an ideology opposed to Mahatma Gandhi. He claimed that the legislation affects democratic rights by replacing statutory provisions with a centrally sponsored scheme containing a “switch-off clause”.
“This would allow the Centre to withdraw the scheme in states where it does not have a government. This is a grave injustice, and we will fight it from the streets to Parliament,” he said.
On party organisation, Ulaka said Priyanka Gandhi has been appointed Chairperson of the Congress screening committee, of which he is also a member. He expressed confidence about the party’s prospects in Assam, stating that district Congress committees have been formed and organisational groundwork is underway.
Reacting to the political situation in Manipur, Ulaka termed it “strange” that President’s Rule has been imposed despite the BJP having a majority in the Assembly. “We do not support the extension of President’s Rule. We demand immediate dissolution of the Assembly and fresh elections so that a democratically elected government can be formed,” he said.
