Christopher Tilak, Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and in-charge of Manipur, arrived in Imphal today to participate in the “Save MGNREGA” (MGNREGA Bachao Sangram) campaign, which aims to mobilize public opposition against the proposed renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Speaking to reporters at the Imphal Airport shortly after his arrival, Tilak said, “I have come to organize a campaign against the renaming of MGNREGA and will stay for at least seven days. During this period, I will visit at least five districts, covering both hill and valley regions, to raise awareness and mobilize people.”
The Congress leader’s visit is expected to strengthen local party efforts and reach out to rural communities who depend on MGNREGA for livelihood and employment. Tilak’s itinerary reportedly includes meetings with district-level party leaders, community outreach programmes, and public gatherings in at least five districts across the state.
The campaign seeks to highlight the significance of MGNREGA in providing economic security to rural families and to protest any attempts to alter its identity or dilute its objectives. Party sources said that the initiative will also involve discussions with local stakeholders to gather feedback on the impact of MGNREGA and to build wider support for its preservation in its current form.
Tilak’s week-long visit underscores the Congress party’s commitment to protecting rural livelihoods and ensuring that policy changes do not adversely affect vulnerable communities in Manipur.