Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, on Tuesday criticised Congress, INDIA bloc, pointing out that the party had not carried out a caste census during its rule.While speaking to ANI Satna in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav said, “Congress is the party that did not conduct caste census after independence... When all the parties in the Lok Sabha were demanding a caste census, they did not conduct a caste census.”#WATCH | Satna, Madhya Pradesh: On Rahul Gandhis statement, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav says, ...Congress is the party which did not conduct caste census after independence... When all the parties in the Lok Sabha were demanding a caste census, they did not conduct a caste census.… pic.twitter.com/aYEaUU9SwT— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2023Why do they want to do so today Because they know that their traditional vote bank is not with them, he added.It should be noted here that the Congress party has been requesting that a caste census be conducted by the Centre. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, also attacked the PM Modi-led Centre for rejecting their demands.At the same time, other allied parties in India have also stepped up their calls for a caste census, which legally can only be carried out by the Central government.The caste survey was conducted by the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, and several state administrations headed by opposition parties have announced plans to carry out similar surveys.The INDIA bloc has been calling for a nationwide caste census, arguing that this will help shape policies for various social groupings based on population numbers.However, the central government, which is governed by the BJP, has been objecting to the same saying it will cause division in society.Meanwhile, the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh has promised to conduct a caste census in the state if they come back into power after Assembly elections. On the other hand, while speaking at a public rally in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi asserted his partys commitment for holding a caste census. Rahul Gandhi also targeted the Prime Minister, alleging that the PM doesnt say a word about the caste census. I told Prime Minister Modi many times to get the caste census conducted across the country. But he doesnt say a word about the caste census. Rather he says that there is no caste in the country. If we come to power in the state, we guarantee that we will conduct a caste census. Everybody needs to know about their strength in the country, Gandhi said while addressing a poll campaign in Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch.#WATCH | Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh: While addressing a public meeting in Jawad, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, ...The population of OBC is nearly 50 per cent... I told PM Modi to do a caste-based census... After that, PM Modi said in a speech that there is no caste in India. There… pic.twitter.com/gb6UOtAFTt— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2023The government in the state is run by Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with his 53 officers. Out of those 53 officers, there is only one OBC officer. Can you think how much of the decision-making power rests with him It is 0.33%. He makes decisions on 0.33% of your total budget. Now look at their population, it is more than 50%. The OBC Class is being denigrated, he added while speaking at public rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh which is scheduled to go under Assembly polls on November 17, 2023.
