As soon as a new bill related to MNREGA scheme was introduced in the Lok Sabha, political turmoil has started. The Central Government has proposed to change the name of this scheme to VB-Ji Ram Ji, against which the opposition has lodged a strong protest. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has launched a scathing attack on the government, terming this bill as against the spirit of the Constitution.

Priyanka Gandhi said in Parliament that the government is showing more interest in changing the names of schemes, but their funding at the ground level is continuously being reduced. He raised the question that when money is spent on new boards, documents and publicity every time the name is changed, then why is there silence on increasing the wages of workers. He also said that the bill talks about increasing the working days from 100 to 125, but there is no mention of increasing the daily wage.

Why did Priyanka Gandhi give an emotional reaction?

Priyanka Gandhi gave an emotional reaction to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. He said that even though Mahatma Gandhi may not have been a member of his family, he was like family to the entire country. It is not right to make changes in such a big plan based on the thoughts or preferences of one person. Priyanka demanded that there should be a comprehensive discussion on this bill first and it should be sent to the Standing Committee, so that suggestions from all parties could be incorporated.

Trinamool Congress expressed objection

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy also raised objection on this issue. He said that Lord Ram is revered by all, but in today’s times, Mahatma Gandhi’s thinking and his legacy are more relevant. He also warned that under the new provisions, a large part of the scheme’s funding has been shifted to the states, which will put additional economic pressure on them.

Congress General Secretary criticized

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also criticized the decision, saying that Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be remembered as the leader who removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from a national scheme. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also called it an insult to Bapu. This bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and currently the debate on it is going on. The opposition says that unless the basic objective of the scheme, the interests of the workers and the role of the states are openly discussed, such a change cannot be accepted.

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Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Tuesday (7 October 2025) that she interacted with a group of dairy farmers in Kerala and during this she met a cow named Alia Bhatt. Priyanka Gandhi, Lok Sabha member from Wayanad, mentioned the unusual encounter in a post on X about her recent interaction with dairy farmers at a dairy farm in Kodencherry, Kerala.

Tagging Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, the Congress leader said, ‘Met a group of dairy farmers at a dairy farm run by a very loving family and also met a cow named Alia Bhatt. Sorry to Alia Bhatt, but she was really very sweet. He said that unfortunately dairy farmers are facing many difficulties and many of them are not even able to earn their living.

Met a group of dairy farmers at a dairy farm run by the loveliest family (and even encountered a cow named Alia Bhatt!!, due apologies to Ms.Bhatt @aliaa08but she was really a cutie pie!).

Unfortunately dairy farmers are struggling with multiple difficulties and many are… pic.twitter.com/p36oeAZTbF

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 7, 2025

Rising price of veterinary medicines
Priyanka Gandhi said that I want to write a letter to the concerned ministry to make them aware of several problems including rising prices of veterinary medicines, lack of adequate insurance coverage and difficulties in availability of good quality animal feed. The Congress General Secretary further said, “I express my gratitude to all those farmers who gave their time to explain these issues to me. I will help in every possible way.

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