President V. Venkatesh minced no words: ‘This is all politics. Our union stays away.’ He defended the government’s labor overhaul as pro-worker, directing affiliates to work normally. Blasting left parties for politicizing the issue, Venkatesh lauded the new Labor Codes as historic.

‘The Wage Code brings nationwide parity after years of delay—kudos to PM Modi, Minister Mandaviya, and Secretary Gurnani,’ he said. In a recent sit-down with Mandaviya on January 16, he pushed for higher PF limits. The fixed-term employment for trainees, offering gratuity post-training, was hailed as transformative, ending abrupt terminations.

‘Politics has no place here. The minister offers talks—why strike?’ Venkatesh challenged, alleging some unions boycotted a key meeting. He predicted patchy participation: public enterprises and private firms largely unaffected, with only ideologically driven pockets joining in.

Opposing unions, however, vow widespread action, warning of hits to essential services like banks, power grids, transport, hospitals, schools, and utilities. This rift underscores evolving dynamics in India’s labor politics, where reform backers challenge traditional strike calls.

Sandeep Dikshit, a prominent Congress voice, lambasted the BJP for altering the law purely for partisan advantage. Laborers, he said, are reeling from the disruptions, and the party is committed to bolstering their cause through escalated campaigns. Attendees transported soil from active MGNREGA sites—proof of their authentic struggles—united in planting it as a sapling at the venue, representing collective grit.

Imran Pratapgarhi evoked the UPA’s legacy, crediting leaders like Manmohan Singh and the Gandhis for guaranteeing 100 days of work. The new proposal, he argued, seeks to erode this entitlement, robbing crores of their due. Congress plans extensive outreach, including Rahul Gandhi’s engagements with thinkers and on-ground worker interactions.

Vikrant Bhuria highlighted the broad participation, including NGOs, as a launchpad for a people-powered struggle. Alka Lamba accused the government of authoritarianism, ignoring state inputs and directly assaulting rural job security. Beyond renaming, it’s an attack on the employment guarantee itself. Party brass, from Kharge to Rahul, vows unyielding defense of the scheme’s foundations.

This gathering signals escalating tensions over rural livelihoods, with Congress positioning itself as the guardian of the poor against perceived dilutions. The movement’s momentum could reshape electoral narratives in key rural belts.