Congress caste pitch plays out differently in Karnataka, Bihar

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

AICC called for a national caste census and Rahul Gandhi's 'jitni aabadi utna haq' slogan, the issue is playing out differently in Congress-ruled Karnataka and the Bihar Congress, which is part of the Nitish Kumar government.

While Congress government in Karnataka is evidently looking for ways to delay release of caste survey report pending since 2018 amid internal differences over the findings and political implications, many leaders in Bihar Congress apprehend that the data could prompt many remaining upper caste supporters to desert the party, expecting the Mandal brigade to tighten its grip over Congress.

Karnataka government's mind was indicated when backward classes commission chairman Jayaprakash Hegde said the government had asked it to «study the report» and remained non-committal on its submission by merely saying it could happen before November, when the commission's term ends. It coincided with some Congress ministers reportedly arguing that survey findings (reportedly showing that the Vokkaliga and Lingayat population were much less than projected) could affect Congress prospects in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

However, some senior Congress leaders, including critics of chief minister Siddaramaiah, have demanded immediate release of the report even as Siddaramaiah's backward community plank (AHINDA) faces a test over the pending release of caste survey.


Senior Congress leader from Karnataka, BK Hariprasad, told ET, «the AICC leadership, especially Rahulji, has welcomed the Bihar government releasing its caste survey and Rahulji has also demanded a a national caste census. It is important the Congress government in Karnataka immediately release the report of the caste survey pending since 2018.