Congress Vows to Conduct Caste Census if Elected to Power in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Strategic Insights -

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his party's resolve to conduct a caste census in the country if voted to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at a Congress rally in Nagpur, Rahul emphasized the importance of a caste census to address the underrepresentation of OBCs, Dalits, and tribals in various sectors. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for earlier acknowledging himself as an OBC but now claiming that there is only one caste, the poor. Rahul's demand for a caste census has been a core theme of the Congress campaign in recent assembly elections, although it did not resonate with voters in the Hindi heartland.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rahul Gandhi reiterated Congress' resolve to conduct a caste census if elected to power in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
  • A caste census is essential to address the underrepresentation of OBCs, Dalits, and tribals in various sectors.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the poor, youth, women, and farmers are the "biggest castes" in the country, a stance criticized by Rahul Gandhi.
  • The opposition bloc has made caste census a core election issue, and the BJP has maintained caste balance in its new governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
  • The Congress hopes to raise the caste pitch to counter the BJP's aggressive Hindutva appeal, but this attempt failed in the assembly elections.

Statistics:

  • 63% of Bihar's population (13 crore) belongs to Backward Classes, including OBCs and EBCs (Source: Bihar Caste Survey).
  • 11 OBC, 6 Scheduled Caste, and 4 Schedule Tribe members were inducted in the new Madhya Pradesh cabinet (Source: TIMES OF INDIA).
  • Caste balance played an important role in deciding the new line of leadership in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (Source: TIMES OF INDIA).

Sources:

  • TIMES OF INDIA
  • Bihar Caste Survey