Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and National General Secretary Arun Singh addressed the media during his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, outlining the central government’s development agenda, defending the newly introduced rural employment framework, and sharply criticising the Congress and opposition parties for what he described as “negative and destructive politics.”
Addressing the media at the BJP Bhawan in Sri Vijaya Puram, Singh said his visit held historical significance, as he paid tribute to freedom fighters of the independence movement, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Veer Savarkar. He said remembering such leaders was essential to inspire future generations and preserve their contributions to the nation’s history.
Singh said the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working to bring greater national attention to lesser-known freedom fighters and historic sites, stressing that this effort was part of a broader attempt to reconnect the country with its past.
Turning to contemporary politics, Singh launched a sustained attack on the Congress party and opposition groups, accusing them of opposing reforms without offering constructive alternatives. He said the opposition’s resistance stemmed from repeated electoral defeats and an absence of substantive issues.
A key focus of Singh’s remarks was the restructuring of the rural employment framework. He said the central government has moved to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new rural jobs law branded as VB–G Ram G / VB-G RaM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission – Gramin). Under the revised framework, the guaranteed employment period has been increased from 100 days to 125 days.
Singh said the new law is aimed at strengthening village infrastructure, boosting employment opportunities, and supporting activities such as water conservation, rural connectivity, and livelihood-related assets. He argued that the expanded employment guarantee would accelerate village development and help realise the vision of self-reliant rural communities.
Responding to criticism over funding responsibilities under the revised scheme, Singh said the Centre’s financial contribution to rural employment has increased significantly over the years. He added that states now receive a larger share of central tax revenues compared to earlier governments, placing greater responsibility on state administrations for implementation.
Addressing development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Singh highlighted multiple ongoing and completed projects, describing them as part of a transformative phase for the territory. He said infrastructure, connectivity, defence, and strategic projects in the islands have received sustained attention over the past decade, resulting in visible change.
Singh also defended major strategic projects in the islands that have faced opposition on environmental grounds. He said the central government has taken significant steps on environmental protection, including large-scale afforestation and renewable energy initiatives, while balancing development and national security needs.
Commenting on national politics, Singh expressed confidence about the BJP’s electoral prospects, including in West Bengal, and claimed recent election results reflected growing public support for the party’s governance model.
He concluded by reiterating that the government’s focus remains on rural prosperity, infrastructure expansion, and national unity, asserting that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands occupy a central place in the government’s long-term development vision.
