“Congress to Raise MGNREGA, SIR, Economy and Foreign Policy Issues in Budget Session of Parliament” – Dr Syed Naseer Hussain

Dated 27th January 2026

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

New Delhi | Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, Rajya Sabha MP and AICC General Secretary, briefed the media after the meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Strategy Committee held under the chairpersonship of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi.

The meeting was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders of the Congress party.

Addressing the media, Dr Syed Naseer Hussain said that several important national issues were discussed in detail during the meeting. The committee finalised the issues that will be raised by the Congress party during the first phase of the Budget Session of Parliament.

He said that the biggest issue discussed was MGNREGA. The Congress party will give top priority to MGNREGA and raise it strongly in the first session, as it directly affects the livelihoods of crores of people across the country.

Dr Hussain said that the issue of SIR (Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls) was discussed seriously. Members from different states presented ground reports, explaining how SIR has created fear and confusion among voters and how voting rights are being taken away. He said the Congress and other opposition parties will strongly raise this issue in Parliament.

Environmental issues will also be taken up, including the Aravali region matter and the Great Nicobar Project. The Congress party will question the government on environmental damage and lack of transparency.

He further said that the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh statehood will be raised. Despite repeated demands, the government has not restored statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, and the Congress will continue to press this demand.

On foreign policy, he said the country is facing serious challenges. Continuous threats from the United States over tariffs and Russian oil show deviation in foreign policy. This is having a negative impact on the Indian economy.

He added that the falling value of the rupee is creating confusion and disruption in the economy. MSMEs and other economic sectors are suffering heavy losses due to this and Congress will raise these economic concerns strongly.

Dr Syed Naseer Hussain said that these issues will be taken up in the first phase of the Budget Session. For the second phase, the Parliamentary Strategy Committee will meet again to review and finalise further issues.

He strongly criticised the central government, calling it arrogant. He said despite a strong opposition raising concerns over SIR, the government is moving ahead without listening. He said the issue of “vote theft,” as repeatedly stated by Shri Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, is very serious.

He said if SIR is not rolled back, it raises questions over elections held after 2003. The Congress party demands that SIR be withdrawn and the earlier electoral rolls be restored. The party also wants the government to accept the demands raised during debates on the SIR issue.