Deflating RaGa’s Key Weapon Earlier than Bihar Polls Or U-Flip? Decoding BJP’s Nod For Caste Census – News18
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Gandhi is left and not using a weapon six months forward of Bihar election and this may occasionally not simply have an effect on the electoral fortune of the Congress but in addition hurt its doubtless ally RJD
Past what the longer term might maintain, the current clearly places BJP in a politically advantageous place. (PTI)
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assembly with the three service chiefs and the CDS on Tuesday, adopted by the Cupboard Committee on Safety on Wednesday morning, expectations from the Cupboard Committee for Political Affairs have been a ratification in that route. However what got here subsequent was a shock for not solely India’s political opposition but in addition most Indians—the Centre agreeing to the caste census.
The premature announcement caught most opposition events which have roots in supposed ‘samajwad’ unawares. Even the Congress, which has been espousing the trigger for a very long time, was left scrambling for a response.
TIMING SUPREME
The timing of the announcement appears to be deliberate. Bihar elections are scheduled between October and November this yr. Bihar was the primary state in India, albeit in a non-NDA authorities, that went for a caste survey. Thought-about essentially the most caste-sensitive state the place SCs represent 19.65 per cent of the inhabitants, STs make up 1.68 per cent, and OBCs account for 27.12 per cent, Bihar is about to see elections in simply six months the place BJP shall be seen because the one who carried out a long-standing demand.
Furthermore, it additionally sends out a message to the individuals at massive that whereas India is targeted on avenging the Pahalgam bloodbath, in contrast to Pakistan, life—and politics—haven’t come to a standstill. Actually, India is entrenched in ahead planning.
DEFLATING RG’s KEY WEAPON?
What the announcement additionally did was deflate an enormous weapon of Rahul Gandhi earlier than the important thing Bihar Battle. Gandhi, who has been championing the problem of caste census and coined the phrase ‘Jitna Aabadi, Utna Haq’ (rights in keeping with inhabitants), is now left and not using a weapon six months forward of Bihar election. This will not simply have an effect on the electoral fortune of the Congress—except it creates one other equally potent challenge—it could additionally hurt its doubtless ally RJD.
In a press convention, Gandhi took credit score for the federal government’s choice. “We had stated within the Parliament that we are going to make Caste census occur. We had additionally stated that we might scrap the 50 per cent cap, the unreal wall, that’s in place. Don’t know what occurred however out of the blue after 11 years, Caste census has been introduced.” He later tweeted that his “strain labored”.
It’s clear that the strain we placed on the federal government for Caste census has labored. However we don’t intend to cease right here:
• We’ll guarantee they conduct a complete and consultative census – a individuals’s census, not a bureaucratic census • We’ll proceed to press…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 30, 2025
Although BJP was fast to counter this with the social gathering’s Amit Malviya saying: “Rahul Gandhi should cease taking credit score for the federal government’s choice on the caste census. Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah had already indicated on September 18, 2024, that the announcement was forthcoming.” Malviya was referring to Shah’s feedback in a press convention marking 100 days of the third time period of the NDA authorities the place Shah stated any choice on conducting a caste census shall be “made public”.
WHAT NEXT?
Whereas BJP has stunned its opponents and seized the day, many appear to query what subsequent and the way far the BJP can go in future?
That is pertinent as a result of Rahul Gandhi made it clear in Wednesday’s press convention that he doesn’t intend to cease right here. He has listed his subsequent course of actions that embody elimination of the 50 per cent cap on reservations that he referred to as “arbitrary”, implement a central regulation for SC/ST sub-plan and assure funds allocations. If that’s not all, Gandhi has additionally declared his mission of implementing reservation in personal training.
“That is the desire of the individuals of India and the Modi authorities has no choice however to observe it,” he stated.
BJP’s Malviya has reminded Gandhi that Congress itself woke as much as the problem late. “In 2011, the Congress-led UPA authorities initiated the Socio-Financial and Caste census, which included a caste part—the primary such try since 1931,” he hit again. He additional accused the Congress of failing to launch the caste information, citing ‘inconsistencies’.
Past what the longer term might maintain, the current clearly places BJP in a politically advantageous place, although it has taken a U-turn from its acknowledged place the place it persistently attacked opposition events for backing caste census. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave the clarion name of ‘Batenge Toh Katenge’ in the course of the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh as he urged the Hindu neighborhood in India to remain united, whereas PM Modi’s ‘Ek Hain Toh Secure Hain’ slogan was credited for the Maharashtra meeting ballot win.
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