BJP vs Cong as ‘caste census’ credit battle intensifies in Varanasi

Varanasi: After the Bharatiya Janata Party thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for for the decision to carry out a ‘caste census', the Congress on Saturday organised a thanksgiving march under the leadership of UPCC chief Ajay Rai, featuring posters of party MP Rahul Gandhi.
Claiming that it was Gandhi's pressure that compelled the BJP-led NDA govt to go for a ‘caste census', Rai said, "Our leader forced the central govt to announce ‘caste census', which is a victory for all those who have been oppressed for centuries... PM Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Anurag Thakur and all BJP leaders used to oppose it by terming the ‘caste census' a sin. But now they are calling it a masterstroke."
"They might be making tall claims now, but the country knows how Rahul mentioned in Parliament that the ‘caste census' must be conducted and it happened. The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha took significant risks and challenged the govt directly despite being harassed through govt mechanisms, personal attacks from BJP and RSS members, and propaganda against him. His courage and honesty made the arrogant power tremble," he added, stating that Congress is committed to ensuring social justice and providing fair representation to every section.
Earlier, the office-bearers, leaders, and workers of the district and city units of Congress started the appreciation march by offering a floral tribute to the Swami Vivekananda statue in Nadesar. It culminated at Kutchehri Cossing after garlanding the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar.
Before the Congress began its march, BJP leaders held a series of events on Thursday by welcoming the Modi govt's decision to conduct a ‘caste census'. By sharing sweets, they expressed gratitude for this historic decision and praised The PM's visionary leadership.
BJP's Kashi region unit president Dilip Patel said this decision will mark the beginning of a new era towards social justice, equality, and inclusion.
He further mentioned that under the PM's leadership, the Union cabinet approved the inclusion of a ‘caste census' in the upcoming census, considering today's social structure and needs, which is a meaningful effort to bring marginalised and backward classes to the forefront of policy-making.
The BJP will further intensify its campaign to celebrate this announcement in other units from Sunday, when party's city chief Pradeep Arahari will lead a celebration by the OBC front of the party at Glab Bagh.