A convention of politicians from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was hosted by the Congress' Uttar Pradesh branch on Thursday to call for a caste census and more quota for the affected community.
Nearly 200 politicians attended the conference, which, according to party officials, was intended to commemorate the passing of former Union minister Chandrajeet Yadav.
“We will fight for the rights of the OBCs, and in order to do so, a caste census is necessary. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent member of the Congress, has previously spoken in support of a caste count. Anil Yadav, the organisation secretary for the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, said that the social justice policies of the Congress gained favour from the populace in Karnataka.
Anil said that the party has been having such smaller conventions at the district level in Muzaffarnagar, Mau, Deoria, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and Lucknow over the last four months.
According to party officials, a request to eliminate the 50% OBC quota cap was raised during the conference on Thursday.
A nationwide census of castes has been sought by a number of opposition groups. Bihar started its own caste census in January of this year, but the Patna High Court subsequently suspended it. The Supreme Court has also declined to dismiss the investigation.
“The Congress only brings up these concerns before elections. Concern for the wellbeing of OBCs has never been taken seriously. The BJP was founded in the recently completed local elections and has been fighting for the rights of OBCs and other underprivileged groups in society, according to BJP spokesperson Avnish Tyagi.
The former head of the political science department at Lucknow University, Professor SK Dwivedi, stated: “The Congress is motivated by the Karnataka election results. The party is certainly getting ready for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, which is why it is interacting with many castes.
