On January 10, 2026, Congress launched a 45-day nationwide protest called 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram'. The party opposes the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) law. The agitation will continue until February 25. The Congress demands the complete withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and the restoration of MGNREGA in its original form. This includes making employment a legal right, strengthening the role of panchayats, and ensuring accountability in the scheme's implementation. To launch the protest, district-level press conferences were held nationwide on January 10. Protests and a day-long fast are planned for January 11. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The Congress is committed to seeing this struggle through until we secure the restoration of the right to work, livelihood, and accountability that the Modi government has snatched with its bulldozer demolition of the MGNREGA.” The protest strategy includes village gatherings called chaupals and mass contacts at gram panchayat level from January 12 to 29. On January 30, ward-level peaceful sit-ins will press for the right to work. State-level gheraos of Vidhan Sabhas are scheduled between February 7 and 15. The campaign will end with four major rallies between February 16 and 25. Unlike earlier protests against farm laws, Congress said this movement will be grounded at panchayat, block, district, and state levels, not just centered in Delhi. The VB-G RAM G Act was passed amid protests in December 2025. The Rajya Sabha cleared it by voice vote on December 18, soon after the Lok Sabha passed it. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 21, making the law official. It guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household each financial year.