T.N. CM Stalin slams AIADMK’s ‘silence’ on Centre’s renaming of MGNREGS

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) came down heavily on the Opposition AIADMK’s “silence” over the Centre altering and renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission–Gramin (VBGRAMG).

In a social media post, Mr. Stalin questioned: “What is the AIADMK’s stand on VBGRAMG, which directly affects the rural poor?” He accused AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami of supporting the three farm laws and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and wondered whether he would extend support to VBGRAMG as well.

He said the Centre had removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA and renamed the scheme in Hindi, making it difficult for people to pronounce. “Carrying the name of Perarignar Anna [C.N. Annadurai], who won the battle against Hindi imposition, in the party’s name, should there even be hesitation to oppose this?” he asked the AIADMK.

Mr. Stalin said while the Centre would decide the terms and conditions of VBGRAMG, the State governments would have to contribute additional funds from their exchequers. “Does the AIADMK accept this arrangement without any protest? Would your leader Jayalalithaa have agreed to this? For a party that bows so much, what is the need for the name Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam? I am not asking these questions; the people of Tamil Nadu are,” he added.