Congress Takes Pledge to Strengthen Democracy on 141st Foundation Day, Announces ‘Save MGNREGA Campaign’ from January 5

Patna. JP News. The 141st Foundation Day of the Indian National Congress and the 102nd Foundation Day of the Congress Seva Dal were celebrated with enthusiasm on December 28 at the party’s state headquarters, Sadaqat Ashram. On the occasion, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Ram hoisted the party flag and handed over a new flag to the Congress Seva Dal, followed by a ceremonial salute.
Addressing party leaders and workers, Rajesh Ram administered a pledge to protect and strengthen democracy and reiterated the Congress Party’s commitment to constitutional values. He announced that the Bihar Congress would launch a statewide “Save MGNREGA Campaign” from January 5. He described the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) not as an ordinary scheme, but as a constitutional right to work, which must be safeguarded at all costs.
The state Congress president said the party would unite to fight for the dignity, employment, fair wages, and timely payments of rural workers. He emphasized the protection of demand-driven employment and the rights of Gram Sabhas, and asserted that any attempt to dilute workers’ rights or remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA would be opposed democratically.

As part of the campaign, the Congress Party and Seva Dal organized a padyatra (march) from Sadaqat Ashram to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Maidan. The march was led by Rajesh Ram, Leader of the Congress Legislative Council Party Dr. Madan Mohan Jha, AICC Secretary and Bihar in-charge Shahnawaz Alam, and Congress Seva Dal President Dr. Sanjay Yadav.
During the padyatra, Congress leaders paid floral tributes at Bans Ghat to the statue of India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The leaders also interacted with the public, appealing for unity in defense of the MGNREGA law and workers’ rights.
The event was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including AICC Secretary and Bihar in-charge Shahnawaz Alam, Tauqeer Alam, former minister Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Khan, former MLC Premchand Mishra, legislators, MLCs, office bearers, and hundreds of Congress workers and Seva Dal members, marking the occasion with a strong message of commitment to democracy, constitutional values, and social justice.