India, Dec. 28 -- The Congress on Saturday announced a nationwide agitation against the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "single-handedly destroying" the landmark UPA-era law and warning that the move would severely damage the rural economy.

Hours after the Congress party's press conference, Union minister for rural development and agriculture and farmers' welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan hit back, accusing the grand old party of political posturing, and shedding "crocodile tears".

The Congress's announcement of mega protests from January 5 comes days after Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM ...