Rahul Gandhi Questions PM Modi’s Concerns Over Caste Census

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, reiterating his remarks in the Lok Sabha during the Women’s Reservation Bill debate, emphasized that only three OBC bureaucrats serve in the Government of India. He questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concerns regarding the caste census during a public gathering in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur on Monday.

“Within the Government of India, it’s the secretaries and cabinet secretaries who hold the reins. Out of 90 secretaries, only three are OBCs. The caste census will act as an X-ray of India, helping us ascertain the population belonging to SC, ST, Dalit, and general categories,” Rahul Gandhi stated.

Rahul Gandhi also inquired why PM Modi is apprehensive about the caste census, emphasizing that he had requested the Prime Minister to publicly share the data from the census conducted by the Congress.

“Why is PM Modi hesitant about the caste census? Why did they not release the caste census report conducted by Congress?” Rahul Gandhi questioned in Chhattisgarh.

In his address, Rahul Gandhi also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Adani issue, alleging that the PM possesses a “remote control” but operates it discreetly.

“When we press the remote during scheme launch events, the benefits reach the poor. However, when the BJP does it, Adani secures contracts for ports, airports, railways, and infrastructure projects, while the public sector is privatized. There are two remotes: we press one in front of you, but when the BJP does it, they operate secretly,” he asserted.

He further highlighted that the Congress had fulfilled its promises in previous elections, including the waiver of farmers’ loans and subsidizing half of the electricity bills, despite doubts raised by PM Modi.

The upcoming 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election is slated for later this year, where all 90 members of the House will be elected. In the 2018 Assembly elections, Congress secured 68 seats, while the BJP won 15.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Bhopal, took a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s selective interactions with specific groups. He criticized Congress leaders for their lack of understanding of the struggles faced by the poor and for using their living conditions as settings for video shoots. PM Modi emphasized that his government is projecting a developed and grand image of the country to the world.

Both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are among the states scheduled to hold elections later this year, along with Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram. In both central Indian states, a fierce electoral battle is expected between the Congress and the BJP.

Also Read: ‘Congress Runs By Urban Naxals’, PM Modi Hits Out At Congress In Bhopal

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