Nationwide Caste Census Once INDIA Forms Government At The Centre: Rahul Gandhi (image:twitter.com/INCIndia)

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday promised that caste census will be held across the country, once the INDIA alliance forms government in the centre. He then asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi if there existed no caste in India, why did he always identify himself as an Other Backward Class (OBC).

Addressing a public rally in Chhattisgarh, Mr Gandhi declared that when the Congress government is formed again in Chhattisgarh, it will conduct the caste census in the state; similarly, when the INDIA alliance forms the government at the centre it will launch caste census at the national level. He said that by denying the existence of castes Prime Minister was trying to deny them their rightful due.

Mr Gandhi added that caste census figures conducted by the previous Congress government are with the Central government but Prime Minister wanted to hide caste figures as he does not want the OBCs, the Dalits and the Adivasis to participate in the government decision making process.

Congress MP, then exhorted the OBC youth to ask Mr Modi why he was not conducting the caste census. Mr Gandhi says that Prime Minister will not be able to answer these questions since his remote control was lying with business tycoon Gautam Adani. Mr Adani is ruling the country and Modi is only the face, he adds.

The former Congress president exuded full confidence that his party will form the government again in Chhattisgarh since the party delivers what it promises. While Congress wants to put public money in the pockets of people, the BJP is taking their money and giving it to Mr Adani, he said.

Mr Gandhi pointed out that when he promised Rs 2,500 per quintal as the Minimum Support Price (MSP)  for the paddy the BJP leaders doubted it. Currently, the paddy is selling for over Rs 2,600 per quintal, the highest in the country. He then announced that once the party forms government, the MSP for paddy will be Rs 3,200 per quintal which will be only the starting price and will increase in the future. Adding further, He mentioned other guarantees including Rs 6,000 per sack for tendu leaves, besides Rs 4,000 bonus, debt waiver for farmers, 200 units of free electricity and free education from KG to PG.