Congress stages hunger strike against Centre in Erode

Condemning the Union government for removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and allegedly reducing funds to the programme, the Erode Urban District Congress Committee and the Erode South District Congress Committee staged a hunger strike here on Tuesday (January 13, 2026).

The fast was led by committee presidents T. Thiruselvan and Makkal G. Rajan, and was inaugurated by former MLA R.M. Palanisamy. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Palanisamy alleged that the Centre was attempting to dilute the 100-day employment scheme by removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name and curtailing allocations. He also criticised what he termed the anti-people policies of the Union government.

Speakers said the scheme, introduced by a Congress-led Union government, had significantly improved the livelihoods of the downtrodden across the Country. They alleged that after the BJP came to power, the scheme was weakened and very few works were being implemented.

Councillor E.P. Ravi, Minority Wing vice-president K.N. Basha, and other Congress functionaries were present. Participants raised slogans condemning the Union government during the protest.