All-party meet before caste census: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Talking to reporters here, the CM said: “We are trying to hold an all-party meet on the caste census. Some political parties have given their nod for the meeting. Once we hear views of all political parties, it will be put up before the state cabinet.” Nitish had long been hinting at Bihar having its own caste census even as the Central government remains non-committed on it.

Nitish’s plan has put the Bihar BJP in a piquant situation vis-a-vis ambivalence of the Central BJP on the matter. The state unit of the BJP, however, had been part of an unanimous resolution passed in the state legislature and was also part of an all-party delegation from the state to take up the matter with the Centre last year.

Though BJP is a key partner in the JD(U)-led NDA alliance, it will now be difficult for it to oppose Nitish’s idea of caste census, especially when the latter has the backing of Opposition RJD on the issue.

The CM had recently had one-on-one meeting with Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

The caste census move is being seen as Nitish’s ‘political masterstroke’. JD (U) insiders say the idea is make ally BJP “commit to caste census and not just talk of “sabka saath, sabka vikas”.