Haryana Polls: Congress-BJP Face-off, Calls for Caste Census

Senior Congress leader Chaudhary Birendra Singh predicts a direct contest between Congress and BJP in the Haryana Assembly election. Citing a 70% dissatisfaction rate with BJP, Singh advocates for a caste census and criticizes the central government's approach. He plans to actively campaign in the upcoming polls.

Senior Congress leader Chaudhary Birendra Singh asserted on Saturday that the primary contest in the upcoming Haryana Assembly election will be between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Highlighting prevalent dissatisfaction, Singh stated that a majority of Haryana's citizens are unhappy with the BJP's governance.

'This time, the contest will be directly between Congress and BJP. Seventy percent of the people in Haryana are angry with the BJP, which will benefit the Congress,' Singh told ANI. He also voiced his support for a state-wide caste census, a sentiment he held during his BJP tenure. Singh stressed that such a census is crucial to identify societal sections that need more government support, highlighting it as a widespread demand.

He emphasized the significance of determining political representation through the caste census to prevent any single group from dominating political offices. Singh also underlined the necessity of supporting marginalized communities within Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Regarding the boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting by Congress chief ministers, Singh criticized the central government for sidelining NITI Aayog, stating it lacks influence when the government pursues its own agenda. 'NITI Aayog and the Election Commission can only function effectively when they are independent,' he remarked.

Singh announced his active participation in the upcoming Haryana Assembly election, scheduled for later this year. He noted that Congress's strategy of not declaring a chief ministerial candidate plays to their advantage. Additionally, he mentioned that former Lok Sabha MP Brijendra Singh will contest in the assembly elections.