In poll-bound MP, Rahul Gandhi makes strong OBC pitch, promises caste census

Gandhi’s speech comes at a time when the Congress is sharpening its push for stronger OBC representation and is seen as a counter to the BJP’s aggressive Hindutva politics and a recognition that PM Modi’s mass appeal as an OBC leader has eroded Congress support in the community.

Gandhi spoke about the women’s reservation Bill which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures and asked, “Why is there no reservation for OBCs within women’s reservation?”

“Narendra Modi, you claim to work for OBCs, you are their leader, then why have you not included OBC reservation within women’s reservation? Narendra Modi claims that the BJP is for OBCs and you are their MLAs and MPs. I saw the statistics before the speech, first of all, the Congress has had three OBC chief ministers,” Gandhi said.

The country, he added, was run by 90 officers, of which only three belonged to the OBC community. “The truth is, 90 officers run the government of India (the cabinet secretary and secretary of the Government of India). These 90 people decide where the money will go and how much will be allocated. Now, I want to ask you a question: BJP has been in power for 10 years, and 90 officers are running the government of India. Narendra Modi says that you are a part of the government of India. Tell me, how much involvement do you have with these three OBC officers in the budget?” Gandhi asked.

“The truth is that OBC officers have a 5 per cent representation and control in the entire budget. Narendra Modi ji does not run an OBC government. The work that Narendra Modi ji does is given to him by RSS. Your focus is on spreading hatred…if Narendra Modi ji genuinely worked for OBCs, how can only 3 officers out of 90 be OBCs? Three-four years ago, there was not a single OBC officer among the 90,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi asked how this was possible since OBCs form 50 per cent of the population and batted for a caste census. During his visit to Sagar in August, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had also promised to implement a caste census if voted to power.

“When I raise this question, BJP members start interrupting. Narendra Modi ji leaves, Amit Shah ji says something else, trying to spread hatred between Hindus and Muslims. Brothers and sisters, the biggest issue before India is caste census,” he said.

“The biggest question facing India is how many OBCs there are and what their representation should be. When our government was there, we did a complete caste census. Narendra Modi ji has all the figures, how many of each caste are in India, the government knows. They do not want to tell OBCs…because they do not want to give them representation, they do not want to give them real power. They make your people sit in the Assembly but then they keep them silent. We want everyone to have representation. India is not just two or three industrialists. That is why our first step will be a caste census,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi also trained his guns on businessman Gautam Adani and said that his Lok Sabha membership was cancelled because he spoke out against him. “The government should work for the people, not for any organisation or a couple of big industrialists. This is the kind of government we want here in Madhya Pradesh. You have seen Kamal Nath’s work; he knows how to work. The work he started, he is going to complete in Madhya Pradesh. I want to tell you one more thing: in Parliament, I raised the issue of Adani…the BJP cancelled my membership in the Lok Sabha. It does not matter to me. Do whatever you want. I speak the truth and present the truth before the country,” Gandhi said, alleging that “Adani takes money from farmers’ pockets every day”.

Gandhi also attacked the ruling BJP and said that Madhya Pradesh was the epicentre of corruption. “They have embezzled funds meant for children, such as those for the midday meal scheme and school uniforms. In the Mahakal Corridor, BJP has been involved in financial embezzlement,” Gandhi said.

He also batted for Congress governments in other states like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Karnataka and spoke about the poll promises fulfilled for women and farmers, an important voting bloc in Madhya Pradesh.

“We waived off loans here; Kamal Nath was waiving off loans here. They deceived you and stole from your government. Brothers and sisters, 18,000 farmers have committed suicide in 18 years of BJP rule. Three farmers die every day in Madhya Pradesh,” Gandhi alleged.

He also said that this was a fight between two ideologies. “On one side, the Congress party, on the other, the RSS and BJP. On one side, Gandhi, on the other, Godse. On one side, hatred, violence and arrogance, and the other, love, unity, and brotherhood. Now wherever we go, we see the seeds of hatred and anger being sown,” Gandhi said.