The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha members, directing them to remain present in the House from December 15 to December 19. The directive comes as the Winter Session of Parliament enters its critical final phase, during which the government plans to introduce a major legislative change in rural employment schemes.

According to reports, the government is preparing to repeal the long-standing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and replace it with a new scheme named Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). Draft proposals for the new scheme have already been circulated among Lok Sabha members, signalling that the bill may be tabled during the ongoing session.

The proposed change has sparked strong opposition from Congress leaders, who criticised the move as an attempt to rewrite history and undermine Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh remarked, “The Indian government is changing the entire history,” while MP Tariq Anwar called the decision “deeply unfortunate and politically motivated.”

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised concerns over the practical implications of the renaming, highlighting the financial burden associated with altering official documents and materials nationwide. “From offices to stationery, everything has to be renamed. This is a big, costly process. What’s the benefit of doing this unnecessarily?” she questioned.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described the move as a political distraction aimed at diverting public attention from more pressing issues, asserting that it disrespects Gandhi’s legacy.