Hyderabad: The Hyderabad District Congress Committee announced that it would organise a three-day MGNREGA Bachao Yatra from January 24 to 26, 2026, opposing what it called the dilution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act by the BJP-led NDA Government.
Hyderabad DCC President Syed Khalid Saifullah said the yatra aimed to resist attempts to weaken the constitutional Right to Work. According to him, the programme would take the Congress party’s message directly to citizens affected by changes to MGNREGA.
The yatra will begin at Charminar at 10 am on January 24 and conclude at the Malakpet TV Tower on January 26. During the three days, the march will pass through three to four municipal divisions daily.
Moreover, the route will cover the Charminar, Bahadurpura, Yakutpura, Chandrayangutta and Malakpet Assembly constituencies. Saifullah said the outreach would focus on youth and daily-wage workers.
Congress leaders mobilise support for MGNREGA Bachao Yatra
As part of preparations for the MGNREGA Bachao Yatra, Saifullah met Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President B. Mahesh Kumar Goud at Gandhi Bhavan. Assembly in-charges Rajesh Kumar, Boya Nagesh, Mujeebullah Shareef and others accompanied him.
During the meeting, the leaders sought formal approval for the programme. They also invited Mahesh Goud to participate in the yatra, and he is expected to join.
Meanwhile, Saifullah alleged that the Centre’s proposed changes would remove guaranteed employment for rural families. He said the amendments would reduce wage security and weaken the role of Gram Panchayats.
Additionally, he accused the Union Government of shifting the financial burden onto state governments. He claimed the changes would convert a legal right into a political handout and make MGNREGA contractor-driven.
Saifullah further warned that dilution of the scheme would increase migration to cities like Hyderabad. He said urban centres were already facing severe unemployment pressure.
The Congress party, he added, would continue its agitation at both state and national levels. According to him, the Hyderabad DCC yatra forms part of a nationwide campaign to protect rural livelihoods.
