Accusing the UPA dispensation of systemic plunder, BJP’s Arun Singh stated unequivocally that MGNREGA became ‘a byword for corruption’ under their rule. Addressing party workers in Lucknow, Singh recounted harrowing tales from rural India, where the promise of employment dissolved into despair due to rampant graft.
From forged signatures on job cards to non-existent worksites, the scheme’s execution was riddled with malpractices, according to Singh. He invoked parliamentary debates and RTI revelations showing how contractors colluded with bureaucrats to cream off funds. ‘UPA’s MGNREGA was less about jobs and more about jobs for the corrupt,’ he quipped, underscoring a PIL that exposed multi-crore scams in multiple districts.
In stark relief, the current administration’s interventions—such as mandatory bank payments, social audits, and app-based attendance—have restored faith, Singh claimed. ‘We’ve transformed it from a scam machine to a success story,’ he added, quoting stats of 12 crore annual job cards issued transparently.
Critics from the opposition decry the attack as politically motivated, yet independent reports corroborate higher efficiency now. This exchange revives memories of UPA’s tumultuous second term, marred by multiple scandals.
As the political discourse intensifies, Singh’s comments serve as a rallying cry for BJP cadres. They also prompt introspection on how flagship programs can be weaponized or redeemed, shaping voter perceptions in the heartland.