Mayawati Slams Congress Over Caste Census and Reservations

BSP leader Mayawati accuses Congress of using caste-based census as a pretense to regain power, criticizing its history on OBC reservations and warning against Rahul Gandhi's recent statements on ending quotas.

On Tuesday, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati delivered a strong critique against the Congress, alleging the party is merely staging a drama over the implementation of a caste-based census while aiming to regain power under these pretenses.

'Despite having held power at the Centre for an extended period, the Congress did not implement OBC reservations nor conduct a caste-based census. Now, they are dreaming of regaining power under the guise of these issues. Beware of their theatrics, as they will never conduct a caste-based census,' Mayawati stated on X, a social media platform.

Mayawati also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming his recent statements abroad indicate a long-standing plot to end reservations. 'Rahul Gandhi suggested in Washington, DC, that if India improves, reservations for SC, ST, and OBCs would end. This shows the Congress is plotting to eliminate these quotas. Members of these communities should be wary of his dangerous statement,' she said.

Further elaborating, Mayawati accused the Congress of maintaining an 'anti-reservation mindset' and emphasized the necessity of constitutional provisions for reservations until caste discrimination is entirely abolished. 'The Congress has always opposed fulfilling reservation quotas, leading even Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to resign as Law Minister. Until caste discrimination is eradicated, the social, economic, and educational conditions of these communities will remain unimproved despite India's progress,' she remarked.

(With inputs from agencies.)