Shashi Tharoor: MGNREGA Renaming Controversy "Unfortunate"

• Shashi Tharoor called the controversy over the proposed renaming of MGNREGA "unfortunate."
• Tharoor argued that the concepts of Gram Swaraj and Ram Rajya were not in conflict with Mahatma Gandhi's ideals.
• The proposed new name for MGNREGA is "Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB—G RAM G Bill, 2025."
• Other Congress leaders, including K.C. Venugopal, criticized the renaming as an attempt to erase Gandhi's legacy and mask neglect of the scheme.
• Venugopal alleged the renaming was a cosmetic change to claim credit for a UPA-conceived program and divert attention from reduced allocations.

Why It Matters: It reveals political conflict over a major welfare scheme's renaming and its historical legacy.