In Karnataka, opposition parties BJP and JD(S) have accused the state Congress government of spreading misinformation about the Union government's VB-G RAM G scheme. They are welcoming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's decision to convene a special legislative session to discuss the issue. The opposition has challenged Congress to an open debate, describing the scheme as vital for rural employment.
In Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) accused the Congress government on Saturday of spreading misinformation about the Union government's VB-G RAM G scheme. At a joint press conference addressed by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra, and other senior leaders, the opposition described the scheme as a key rural employment and livelihood program conceptualized under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen gram panchayats and social audits.
Vijayendra claimed Congress was misleading people by alleging the scheme would dilute MGNREGA. He noted that the Centre had raised workdays from 100 to 125 and ensured funds reached beneficiaries directly, with gram panchayat decisions remaining unchanged and no powers being stripped. He criticized Congress for focusing on scams rather than schemes during its rule and now campaigning against the initiative before its rollout. The BJP-JD(S) alliance plans to counter the misinformation at the village level.
Kumaraswamy challenged Congress leaders to an open debate on the scheme. He pointed out that despite ruling the country for decades, Congress had not named major programs after Mahatma Gandhi and failed to curb corruption and fake bills under MGNREGA. The scheme follows a 60:40 funding pattern, with the Centre covering the larger share, allowing project design at the gram panchayat level, priorities set by gram sabhas, and mandatory social audits. The opposition alleged the state government had previously failed to prevent fake job cards, inflated bills, and delayed wage payments.
Both leaders welcomed the two-day special session convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "Let us debate what Congress achieved through MGNREGA and what the Centre has done in the last 10 years," Vijayendra said. They also accused Congress of being unable to accept the Prime Minister's popularity and attempting to create discontent, vowing not to let false narratives spread unchallenged.