Congress opposed Mandal, backed faith-based quota: NDA meet resolution on caste census

The resolutions underlined various achievements of PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government such as lifting 15 crore people out of poverty and efforts “to boost the dignity of those previously denied the same in the name of caste discrimination”.

The resolution on caste census, moved by Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and seconded by Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, congratulated PM Modi for the move. Addressing the Chief Ministers, the PM said the caste census would do justice to the marginalised in every community.

Targeting the Opposition, the resolution stated, “We are dismayed by the cheap politics of the Opposition on this issue. They had the opportunity to govern the nation for several decades yet they did not do anything on this issue.”

The resolution accused the Congress of “defeating Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar twice (and) denying him a Bharat Ratna… delaying the implementation of the Mandal Commission (and) subsequently opposing it tooth and nail… opposing the OBC Commission (and) advocating faith-based reservations which are against the spirit of Dr Ambedkar’s Constitution”.

During the last Census (in 2011), it added that the Congress “had deliberately avoided a scientifically conducted enumeration of castes”.

“Later, whatever the exercise that was conducted beyond the Census of India Act was also flawed and wrapped in needless secrecy,” it said and slammed the Congress for using the issue only for “political manipulation”.

In a post on X, PM Narendra Modi said, “We had extensive deliberations about various issues. Various states showcased their best practices in diverse areas including water conservation, grievance redressal, strengthening administrative frameworks, education, women empowerment, sports and more. It was wonderful to hear these experiences.”

Participated in the NDA Chief Ministers’ Conclave in Delhi. We had extensive deliberations about various issues. Various states showcased their best practices in diverse areas including water conservation, grievance redressal, strengthening administrative frameworks, education,… pic.twitter.com/k7NuMgXebU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 25, 2025

During the media briefing, BJP president J P Nadda said that the caste census issue has been on top of NDA’s list of priorities from the beginning. “…Our government in Bihar, Nitish Kumar ji’s government in Bihar, which was the first to bring the proposal for it, a resolution related to the caste census was also passed,” he said.

Days after the April 30 surprise announcement by the government to conduct the caste census with the decennial census, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had said in Bihar’s Darbhanga that the decision came only because of pressure from a “vast majority of the population”.

Gandhi had referred to the Telangana model as the “correct manner” in which the caste census should be conducted, and alleged that despite laws providing for implementation of quotas in private institutions, neither the Modi government nor the Bihar government has done it.

Nadda also said the campaign against Maoists was discussed and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai detailed the steps taken to ensure success. Given an opportunity to share the best model practices for the other states to follow, Sai presented the Bastar Model — the development and the innovative initiatives in the state for delivering good governance. During the presentation, he also outlined the success of the Bastar Olympics.

Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma, Nadda said, spoke about the rehabilitation of Maoist-affected areas and government schemes aimed at bringing them into mainstream. Then Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about the strategy behind the campaign to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.

Nadda said that best practices related to the implementation of Har Ghar Surya Yojana in Gujarat under the leadership of CM Bhupendra Patel were discussed. Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma gave a presentation on ‘CM Connect’ programme, in line with PM Modi’s vision of a “responsive, responsible and accountable” governance.

This, Nadda said, was acknowledged as a model for other NDA CMs to be considered in their respective jurisdictions.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath presented a booklet on the success of Kumbh Mela. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami gave a presentation on the implementation of the UCC in his state, Nadda said.

(With inputs from Liz Mathew)