P Chidambaram Rebuttals Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘Betrayal’ Jab At Rahul Gandhi (image-twitter/yadavakhilesh)

Congress leader P Chidambaram answered to the criticism raised by Samajwadi party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav against Rahul Gandhi after the latter’s remark over the caste census demand. While addressing a rally in Bahoriband in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh’s Katni, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister took a jibe at Congress saying that the grand old party’s demand for caste census is a ‘miracle’.

Commenting on to Rahul Gandhi’s remark on caste census as X ray, Yadav said, “Why X-Ray when there is availability of new technology like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scan”.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister questioned Congress party for not conducting caste census when they were in power. He then alleged that Congress is aiming to conduct caste census to woo voters from the lower rungs of the society before the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Rahul Gandhi while addressing a poll-rally in Madhya Pradesh Satna said that once the Congress comes into power, caste census would be conducted to know the exact number of OBCs to frame policies for their welfare accordingly.

“Why do they want to do so today? Because they know that their traditional vote bank is not with them,” Yadav said at a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna on Monday.

“All the backward classes, Dalits, and adivasis know that they [Congress] betrayed them after Independence. That’s why this time, they will lose out” he added.

In reply to SP leader’s comment, P Chidambaram took to his official X handle listing out the ‘correct’ facts. He listed out the amendment made in the constitution for reservation under Congress government citing the amendments made in 1951, 1992-93 and 2006.

“The first Amendment to the Constitution providing for Reservation for socially and educationally backward classes was made in 1951 under the Congress government.

The 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central government jobs was implemented in 1992-93 under the Congress government.

The 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central educational institutions was implemented in 2006 under the Congress government,” he wrote on X.

Let”s get the facts correct:

The first Amendment to the Constitution providing for Reservation for socially and educationally backward classes was made in 1951 under the Congress government

The 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central government jobs was implemented in…

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 14, 2023

The SP president also asserted that that the caste census can be completed in three months due to the availability of the Aadhar card mechanism.