Published Jan 29, 2026 | 7:23 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 29, 2026 | 7:23 PM
The VB-G RAM G Bill proposed increasing the number of employment days from 100 to 125, but posed a higher financial burden on states — except Northeastern states, Himalayan states and Union Territories — with a 60:40 share of the fund allocation.
Synopsis: Defending the advertisement, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge claimed that the BJP appeared to suggest that the state government must accept everything the Central government says “with folded hands and remain silent.”
Karnataka BJP leaders on Thursday, 29 January, walked out of the Legislative Assembly in protest against a government advertisement published in newspapers today criticising the Centre’s Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G), 2025.
The opposition accused the government of “disrespecting” Mahatma Gandhi, alleging that the advertisement carried caricatures of Gandhi in conversation with a man named Sangappa, who is depicted wearing a white shirt and khaki trousers.
The BJP claimed it resembled an RSS uniform. The man was depicted as highlighting the alleged shortcomings of the Centre’s new scheme.
BJP MLA Suresh Kumar said in the assembly, “There is a front-page advertisement in all newspapers. The government functions using taxpayers’ money.” He alleged that it was a “clear loot” of taxpayers’ money by the government for “false propaganda” and “vendetta politics.”
Defending the advertisement, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge claimed that the BJP appeared to suggest that the state government must accept everything the Central government says “with folded hands and remain silent.”
Reiterating that they did not violate any law, Kharge said, “Let the BJP point out which law has been violated.”
Earlier this month, Karnataka government decided to legally challenge the Union government’s decision to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and replace it with the VB-G RAM G 2025.
Announcing the decision after a cabinet meeting on 8 January, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the repeal infringed upon the right to work. “We will take it to the people’s court. We will fight a legal battle against the repeal,” he said.
The state cabinet also passed a resolution to this effect, arguing that the new Act trampled upon the legitimate rights of Panchayats as vested by the Constitution and ran contrary to the spirit of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Anisha Reddy)
