MGNREGA Row: Kumaraswamy Challenges Congress to Open Debate; Shivakumar Accepts

• Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy challenged Karnataka Congress to an open debate on MGNREGA and the proposed VB G-RAM-G scheme.
• Kumaraswamy accused the Congress of misleading the public and creating a false narrative around the new scheme.
• Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar accepted the debate invitation, stating he is ready anytime and will respond only to Kumaraswamy.
• Shivakumar expressed concerns that the VB G-RAM-G model would weaken existing guarantee schemes and centralize decision-making in Delhi.
• Kumaraswamy refuted claims of undermining panchayats, citing past MGNREGA fund delays and the state government's failure to conduct local body elections.

Why It Matters: Kumaraswamy challenges Karnataka Congress to a public debate on MGNREGA changes, which Shivakumar accepts.