VB-G Ramji Bill Passed After Midnight Debate, BJP and Congress Clash Over Gandhi Name

The Lok Sabha passed the VB-G Ramji Bill after an intense debate that stretched past midnight, setting the stage for a sharp political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment scheme.

Introduced by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the new legislation seeks to replace the nearly two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The VB-G Ramji Bill guarantees 125 days of rural employment annually, an increase aimed at strengthening livelihood security for rural households.

Defending the bill, the BJP argued that welfare schemes should remain free from political symbolism. Party leaders maintained that there should be “no politics in the name of the President or the Father of the Nation” and accused the Congress of misleading the public by focusing on the renaming rather than the substance of the legislation.

The ruling party further alleged that MGNREGA had become an “epicentre of corruption” over the years and claimed the opposition was unsettled because it could no longer exploit the scheme for political or financial gains. BJP members insisted that the new framework would improve accountability and ensure benefits reach genuine beneficiaries.

The Congress, however, strongly objected to the change, alleging that dropping Mahatma Gandhi’s name reflects an “anti-Gandhi mindset.” Opposition leaders claimed the move was an attempt to dilute the legacy of Gandhi and reduce funding for rural employment under the guise of reform.

Congress MPs also accused the government of undermining a flagship welfare programme that provided a crucial safety net for millions of rural workers, particularly during periods of economic distress.

Despite the uproar and repeated interruptions, the government pushed the bill through, marking a significant shift in India’s rural employment policy. The passage of the VB-G Ramji Bill is expected to trigger continued political debate, both inside and outside Parliament, as parties prepare to take the issue to the public.