Former AICC chief and star campaigner of Congress party, Rahul Gandhi here on Thursday raised the issue of caste-based census. He stressed the need for people to know the population and representation of different castes in various regions. Besides, he also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and PM Modi of favouring a few industrialists and handing over the nation’s wealth to them. Rahul Gandhi is conducting a series of rallies and roadshows to create a favourable atmosphere for the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. In Jabalpur, he focused on Dalit and OBC communities, highlighting their significance in the political environment. Gandhi conducted road show in East, North Central and West Assembly and solicited support for Congress candidates.

 

During the public meeting and roadshow, Gandhi criticised PM Modi saying that while he claims there is only one caste in India, the poor, he identifies himself as an OBC. He questioned the discrepancy and said in his interactions with unemployed youth, he found a significant representation of OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis among the poor and unemployed. This led him to demand a caste-based census in the country, which the BJP conveniently avoids. Rahul Gandhi stated that the first step to combat unemployment and poverty is a caste-based census. He believes that such a census would reveal the true population and participation of OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis in the democracy. While urging people to vote for Congress candidates, he promised a government that would strengthen farmers, uplift the poor and ensure fair wages.

 

He pledged to waive the loans of 27 lakh farmers in Madhya Pradesh if Congress comes to power. During the public meeting, Rahul Gandhi clarified that it is a misconception that MPs and MLAs run the government. Gandhi said he have seen the inner workings of the government, stating that 90 bureaucrats operate with PM Modi. He questioned the PM’s statement that it is an OBC government, asking how many of these 90 bureaucrats are from the OBC community. MP Rajya Sabha, Vivek Tankha, Congress candidates, Tarun Bhanot, Lakhan Ghanghoria and Vinay Saxena were accompanied Rahul Gandhi during the events.