Nadda questions number of OBCs in Rajiv Gandhi Foundation amid caste census demand.
In the Lok Sabha on Monday, Rahul Gandhi presented a photo of a halwa ceremony, which traditionally precedes the printing of the budget. He pointed out that the image did not include any Dalit, tribal, or backward class individuals, highlighting the lack of diversity and representation among those involved in the ceremony. Gandhi’s comments were made in the context of ongoing discussions and demands for a caste census, which aims to provide a more accurate representation of India’s diverse population in policy and decision-making processes. His remarks sparked a debate on the importance of inclusion and diversity in governance.
In New Delhi, BJP chief J P Nadda criticized the Congress party over its stance on the OBC (Other Backward Classes) issue, during a session in the Rajya Sabha. Nadda challenged the Congress by questioning the representation of OBC, SC (Scheduled Castes), and ST (Scheduled Tribes) communities within the party’s structures during the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) regime. He specifically inquired about the number of members from these communities in the National Advisory Committee and on the board of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
During a discussion on the Union Budget, Nadda, who serves as the leader of the Upper House, accused Congress leaders of being historically opposed to reservations and the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission on Minimum Support Price (MSP) hikes. He argued that the Congress, which he claims ignored these issues while in power, is now trying to position itself as a defender of OBCs and farmers, shedding what he termed “crocodile tears.”
Nadda referenced former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s characterization of the Mandal Commission report as “One Man’s Obstinacy” and highlighted the Congress party’s slogan under Indira Gandhi, which urged voters not to vote based on caste. He suggested that the Congress’s recent advocacy for OBCs is politically motivated, aimed at gaining votes.
“How many OBCs are there in the working committee of Congress? Nadda asked, emphasizing that genuine representation of these communities in the party’s leadership is lacking.
Nadda contrasted this with the BJP’s record, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinets, across his first, second, and third terms, have included a significant number of OBC and SC/ST members. He asserted that the BJP has taken tangible steps to ensure diverse representation in its government.
The Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, has been vocal in demanding a caste census, which aims to provide a detailed demographic breakdown of India’s population to ensure fair representation and resource allocation. In a recent Lok Sabha session, Rahul Gandhi displayed a photograph of the traditional halwa ceremony preceding the budget’s printing, pointing out the absence of Dalit, tribal, or backward class individuals in the image.
Nadda also addressed the controversy surrounding the Agniveer scheme, a recruitment initiative for the Indian military. He accused the Congress of politicizing the issue, stating that the scheme was developed after extensive consultations and should not be a subject of political debate. Nadda emphasized the need to keep national issues and the military out of political conflicts.
On the topic of the “One Rank One Pension” (OROP) policy, Nadda criticized the Congress for its handling of the issue during its time in power. He noted that while the UPA government allocated a mere Rs 500 crore in the interim budget for OROP in 2014, it was the NDA government under Prime Minister Modi that fully implemented the scheme, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the armed forces.
Nadda also mentioned former UPA Agriculture Minister KV Thomas, who had deemed the MSP recommendations by the Swaminathan Commission as non-conducive. He pointed out the Congress’s shift in stance, noting that the party now champions MSP reforms, a position that aligns with the recommendations implemented by the Modi government. He criticized this change as opportunistic, suggesting that the Congress’s stance on MSP and other agricultural issues changes based on political expediency rather than genuine concern for farmers.
He further criticized Rajya Sabha members P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal, who had delivered budget speeches full of suggestions, questioning why such ideas were not implemented when they were in power. Nadda implied that the Congress failed to enact meaningful reforms during its tenure, contrasting this with the BJP’s achievements, particularly in the field of education, which he said had seen significant reforms under the Modi government.
Nadda concluded by describing the Union Budget 2024-25 as a “forward-looking budget” that promotes stability and inclusive development. He emphasized that the budget reflects the government’s commitment to economic continuity and growth, aiming to benefit all sections of society.