Ajay Rai to lead protest over alleged MGNREGA wage delays
February 17, 2026: The political atmosphere in Lucknow intensified after the Indian National Congress announced a major gherao of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly at 11:00 AM under the leadership of state president Ajay Rai. Ahead of the protest, police reportedly placed several Congress leaders under house arrest, drawing sharp criticism from the party. Congress termed the move an attempt to suppress democratic dissent and claimed that workers from across Uttar Pradesh had gathered in large numbers to participate in the demonstration.
The protest centres on alleged delays in wage payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Party leaders accused the state government of withholding payments to labourers for up to 11–12 months, arguing that the delays have severely impacted economically vulnerable families dependent on the rural employment scheme.
With heavy mobilisation by party cadres and heightened security arrangements in place across the state capital, the protest is expected to escalate political tensions in Lucknow. Authorities have increased deployment around key government buildings as the confrontation between the opposition and the state administration sharpens.