Rahul Gandhi Claims He Doesn’t Know What G-RAM-G Is; BJP Hits Back

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sparked a political storm on Thursday after admitting during a public address that he was unfamiliar with the name of the VB-G RAM G Act. His remarks quickly drew sharp reactions from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused him of ignorance and political incompetence.

The controversy unfolded during the National MGNREGA Workers’ Convention, organised by the Rachnatmak congress, a frontal organisation of the Congress party. While addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi momentarily lost track of his speech and openly acknowledged that he did not know what “G-RAM-G” stood for.

Speaking at the event commemorating the origins of the Mahatma Gandhi National rural employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Rahul Gandhi said, “I don’t know what ‘G-RAM-G’ is.” The statement immediately drew attention, given that the event focused on employment legislation and labour rights.

Despite the moment of confusion, Rahul Gandhi went on to explain the broader philosophy behind MGNREGA. He said the programme was conceptualised to provide the poor with rights, respect, and dignity. According to him, the scheme ensured that any citizen in need of employment could legally demand work and receive it with dignity.

He further highlighted that MGNREGA was implemented through the Panchayati Raj system, which empowered local communities and gave workers a direct voice in governance. Most importantly, he stressed, the law created a legal right to employment for India’s poorest citizens—an idea he described as transformational for democracy.

Rahul Gandhi later returned to the subject of the new legislation and once again reiterated that he was unaware of its exact name. However, he argued that the intent behind the law was clear. According to him, the objective was to weaken democratic decentralisation and push India towards a system where power and resources are controlled by a single authority.

He claimed that decision-making was increasingly being centralised in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP-ruled states would receive preferential treatment, while opposition-ruled states would be disadvantaged. He asserted that the central government would decide how funds are allocated, where they go, and which states and districts benefit.

Additionally, he warned that benefits which earlier reached workers directly could now be diverted to bureaucrats and contractors, diluting the original spirit of welfare schemes like MGNREGA.

BJP: “Forgetting the Name Shows Mental Bankruptcy”

The BJP responded with a scathing attack. Reacting on social media platform X, the ruling party said, “Imagine trying to oppose a law whose name the dynast didn’t even bother to know.” The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of proudly admitting his ignorance and said the video exposed what it called the mental and political bankruptcy of the Congress party.

The BJP also linked the controversy to Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Parliament when the legislation was introduced last month, a time marked by intense opposition protests. The party claimed his remarks reflected a lack of seriousness toward legislative responsibilities.

Rahul Gandhi Recalls ‘Three Black Laws’

In his speech, Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to dismantle worker-friendly policies. He recalled the now-repealed farm laws, referring to them as “three black laws,” and said the government had been forced to withdraw them due to sustained pressure from farmers both inside Parliament and on the streets.

He alleged that a similar strategy was now being used against workers. Calling for unity, Rahul Gandhi urged workers and farmers to stand together against what he described as authoritarian governance. He said collective resistance could force the government to retreat and ensure the continuation of MGNREGA.

Concluding his address, Rahul Gandhi reaffirmed that the Congress party would stand with workers across the country and support them wherever possible, positioning labour rights as a central pillar of the party’s political agenda.