Free rations to caste census: BJP’s strategic clarity and ambiguity

livemint.com:

Narendra Modi declared an intent to extend by five years the free-food scheme brought in by the government as covid relief, rather than stretch it further bit by bit, as has been the case. It makes sense to give this food-security measure a long lease, given the vital role it plays in keeping hunger at bay, and will strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) pro-poor pitch.

No less noteworthy is the ruling party’s strategic ambiguity over a caste census. The BJP isn’t against one, but believes consultations are needed and such a decision cannot be taken without careful thought.

This signals a recalibration of its stance based on weighing the risk of losing support among Other Backward Class voters (by rejecting such a survey) versus that of a loss in upper-caste votes if a count is widely seen as a prelude to quota increases. As poll campaigns roll on, with the Congress pressing for a caste census and policy of proportionate reservation, which way the BJP moves on this issue will be under close watch.