In a symbolic move laden with political undertones, the Karnataka government has decided to prefix Mahatma Gandhi's name to all Gram Panchayats across the state. This decision, announced on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, comes in the wake of the Central Government's decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a protest organized by the Karnataka Congress against the repeal of MGNREGA. Speaking at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah stated that the decision to rename the Gram Panchayats was a direct response to the perceived erasure of Gandhi's legacy from the rural employment scheme. He added that an official announcement regarding the renaming would be made during the upcoming budget session.

The decision emerged from a suggestion by Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala. Addressing party workers, Surjewala argued that if Gandhi's name was being removed from a law meant for rural survival, it should be inscribed where governance begins – at the village level. This suggestion was swiftly converted into policy, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar approving the proposal on the spot.

The Congress leadership views the renaming of MGNREGA as more than just an administrative change, calling it an act of "historical amputation". They argue that the removal of Gandhi's name is a deliberate attempt to undermine his legacy and contributions to rural development.

The move to rename the Gram Panchayats has been interpreted as a political statement by the Karnataka government, asserting its ideological position amid the ongoing dispute with the central government. It is also seen as a way to honor Gandhi's vision of decentralized power and village self-governance (Grama Swaraj).

While the state government has framed the renaming as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the decision has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has accused the Congress government of hypocrisy, alleging that it had previously neglected Gandhi's legacy while in power by naming numerous projects and facilities after its own leaders.

Despite the criticism, the Karnataka government appears determined to proceed with the renaming of the Gram Panchayats. The move is expected to be implemented in the coming months, with all 6,000 Gram Panchayat offices in the state set to be renamed after Mahatma Gandhi. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing political battle over Gandhi's legacy and the future of rural development in India.