Congress accuses BJP and RSS of fuelling religious polarisation in Tripura while launching a statewide protest under the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram campaign, opposing the replacement of the rural employment guarantee scheme and demanding restoration of workers’ rights.
The Tripura Pradesh Congress on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of deliberately promoting religious polarisation to destabilise social harmony and divert attention from pressing economic and employment issues in the country.
Addressing media persons during a rally in Kailashahar town of Unakoti district, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashish Kumar Saha said that the ruling party was systematically encouraging communal divisions to weaken democratic values and undermine constitutional principles. He alleged that such strategies were aimed at consolidating political power while marginalising vulnerable sections of society.
Saha stated that the Congress party has launched a democratic movement to protect the dignity of the Constitution and preserve unity and brotherhood among citizens, under the guidance of the party’s central leadership. He claimed that several opposition parties across the country have extended support to the Congress initiative, recognising the need to collectively resist what he described as divisive and authoritarian politics.
The Congress leader also highlighted concerns over employment and rural welfare, asserting that the BJP-led central government was attempting to dilute the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a landmark legislation that provides guaranteed wage employment to rural households. According to Saha, the replacement of MGNREGA with the newly introduced Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act threatens the rights and livelihood security of millions of rural workers.
He said the Congress has launched a 45-day nationwide campaign titled “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” to oppose the proposed changes and demand the restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based law. The campaign, he explained, aims to raise awareness among rural communities, farmers, labourers, and women about the potential consequences of dismantling the existing employment guarantee framework.
Saha alleged that the BJP government’s policies disproportionately harm labourers, village women, farmers, and daily wage workers, who depend on MGNREGA for economic stability during periods of unemployment. He warned that weakening the scheme would increase rural distress, migration, and inequality, particularly in economically backward regions such as Tripura.
The rally in Kailashahar was organised with the initiative of the Congress Seva Dal and was led by Ashish Saha along with Congress Legislature Party leader and senior MLA Birajit Sinha. The march began at the Sanghati Mela Ground in the Padmapar area and passed through several key locations in the town, drawing participation from party workers and supporters.
Addressing the gathering, Birajit Sinha accused the BJP government of prioritising corporate interests over the welfare of the poor and working class. He said the Congress would continue its struggle both on the streets and in legislative forums to safeguard democratic institutions and social justice.
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District Congress Committee president Badrul Zaman, along with several senior party leaders, youth wing members, and grassroots workers, were present during the rally. The leaders reiterated their commitment to intensify the movement in the coming weeks as part of the nationwide campaign.
The Congress leadership maintained that the fight to protect MGNREGA and uphold constitutional values is crucial for ensuring inclusive development, social harmony, and economic security in rural India. They asserted that the party would not allow employment guarantees and democratic rights to be eroded under the guise of reform.
