The Congress party organised a protest programme in Bajali on Saturday against the reported move to change the name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Party workers gathered under the banner of the Bajali District Congress Committee and expressed strong opposition to the decision.
The programme was led by the Bajali District Congress Committee with the active support of the Bajali and Bhawanipur Block Congress Committees. A large number of local Congress workers and leaders took part in the protest. They raised slogans and held placards as they gathered to voice their concerns.
During the protest, the Congress workers accused the Modi-led government at the Centre of misusing power and said that the country was witnessing poor governance in the name of administration. They said that removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi from the MGNREGA scheme would be an insult to the Father of the Nation. According to them, the scheme is closely linked with rural livelihood and has been known by Gandhi’s name for many years, and any change would hurt public sentiment. 
The protesters also criticised the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission. They said that the scheme had not been able to achieve its stated aims and had failed to benefit many rural families. To express their dissatisfaction, the party workers staged a dharna and sat in peaceful protest for several hours.
On Friday, the Congress held a meeting with members of civil society at Panjabari in Guwahati. The discussion was attended by Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia along with several prominent personalities, including Dr Hiren Gohain, Paresh Malakar, Abdul Mannan, Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan, and Shantanu Barthakur. Participants spoke about the need to build a stronger opposition space in the state and explored ways of working together against the ruling BJP.
Further talks were also held with Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, as well as Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi. These conversations focused on understanding the views of different sides before any formal alliance is shaped.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Gaurav Gogoi later indicated that the idea of a united opposition could also feature in the Congress Working Committee meeting at the national level. Party sources said most leaders were positive about forming a joint front before the 2026 polls, although the final framework is still under discussion.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has already begun its election preparations. The party launched the first day of its two-day State Executive Meeting at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Friday. Senior leaders, MPs, MLAs, and office-bearers attended the meeting and reviewed the political situation in the state.
Discussions were held on organisational matters and strategies for the upcoming elections. Leaders also spoke about issues such as migration, tribal status demands from six communities, land rights, and the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The party said it wanted these matters addressed in a way that protected the interests of all communities. BJP leaders also stated that they would continue to counter what they termed misleading claims made by the Congress.
