Congress Plans Statewide Protests With Gandhi Portraits On Dec. 28

NIZAMABAD: The ruling Congress has decided to hold protest programmes in every village across Telangana on December 28, carrying portraits of Mahatma Gandhi. The protests are against the alleged move to scrap the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and remove Gandhi’s name from the scheme. The Pradesh Congress Committee has already organised similar protests at the district level.

Following a call by the All India Congress Committee, party workers have been asked to educate rural people about what the Congress describes as a conspiracy by the Central government to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the employment guarantee scheme. Protests have already been held at district headquarters with Gandhi’s portraits.

TPCC president and MLC B. Mahesh Kumar Goud on Friday alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was conspiring to dilute the employment guarantee scheme introduced by the Congress after sustained struggles. He said the Centre was attempting to evade its responsibility in implementing the scheme, which has provided crucial support to the poor and rural labourers.

Goud said protests would be organised across the State on December 28, marking the Foundation Day of the Congress, at Gandhi statues and by holding portraits of Mahatma Gandhi. He called upon party workers to clearly communicate the Congress’ commitment to social justice and the dignity of labour, and to ensure the success of the protest programmes.