Rahul Gandhi announced on Wednesday that if the Congress government comes to power, their initial actions will involve conducting a caste census and ensuring a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
During the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the tribal-dominated Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of withholding the disclosure of purchasers of electoral bonds.
In a deviation from the yatra's original plan, it will now enter Rajasthan on Thursday instead of Wednesday evening, as informed by a party official.
Addressing the gathering in Badnawar town, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the significance of a caste census, likening it to revolutionary movements such as the green revolution and white revolution. He asserted that conducting such a census upon assuming power would be a top priority. Additionally, he vowed to establish legal protection for the MSP.
Gandhi highlighted the importance of a caste census in providing accurate data on the population and representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes, shedding light on their socio-economic status and institutional representation.
He criticized the lack of proportional representation of STs in influential sectors such as industry, media, and bureaucracy, attributing it to systemic social injustice.
Furthermore, Gandhi condemned the BJP government's reluctance to address the demands of farmers regarding MSP, contrasting it with the hefty loan waivers granted to industrialists.
He also referenced the controversial incident from last year involving a BJP leader urinating on a tribal person in Sidhi district, highlighting it as a reflection of the ruling party's attitude towards tribal communities.
Kharge accused the BJP-led Union government of concealing the identities of electoral bond purchasers, alleging corruption and favoritism. He criticized the BJP's practice of absorbing leaders from other parties, dubbing it as a means to cleanse tainted individuals.
Gandhi stressed the necessity of a caste census for effective policymaking and social welfare, challenging Shivraj Singh Chouhan's remarks about him and Kharge working against the Congress.
Later, Rahul Gandhi participated in a roadshow in Ratlam and Sailana as part of the yatra's conclusion in Madhya Pradesh, with plans to enter Rajasthan on Thursday instead of the original schedule.
