What was in the speech prepared by the Karnataka government?

The Siddaramaiah govt’s draft speech accused the Centre of weakening MNREGA, curbing rural rights, centralizing power, and urged repeal of the ‘VB Gram Ji’ law

The joint session of the Karnataka Legislature turned dramatic after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot refused to read the government-drafted speech and instead delivered his own brief remarks before walking out. The speech prepared by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government was sharply critical of the Union government, particularly its handling of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).

According to the draft, the state government accused the Centre of dismantling the demand-driven nature of MNREGA and replacing it with a supply-oriented scheme, the ‘VB Gram Ji’ program, which it claimed was designed to serve corporate interests rather than rural communities. The speech argued that this shift undermined the original goals of rural asset creation and local employment, calling it an ‘anti-progressive measure’ that had effectively buried MNREGA.

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The draft further alleged that the new law weakened Gandhiji’s vision of Gram Swaraj and eroded the powers of Panchayat Raj institutions by centralizing decision-making in Delhi. It warned that such measures were anti-democratic, ignored the needs of citizens, and risked pushing the country toward greater inequality.

The speech highlighted concerns that the new framework curtailed employment rights of Dalits, Adivasis, women, and farming communities, while reducing wage protections and social security. It also criticized the financial burden placed on states, which must now contribute 40 percent of grants.

Concluding strongly, the draft urged the Centre to repeal the ‘VB Gram Ji’ law and reinstate MNREGA in its original form, ensuring rural employment, asset creation, and social justice.

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