UP Congress Pushes Caste Census, Begins Statewide Outreach

Sharpening its pitch on caste-based representation ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the Congress on Saturday launched a month-long statewide campaign demanding a caste census and an increase in the reservation cap beyond 50%.

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW:

The campaign, titled 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan', was flagged off in Lucknow by Anil Jaihind, chairman of the All India Congress Committee's OBC department. Senior leaders, including UP Congress chief Ajay Rai and state in-charge Avinash Pandey, were present at the launch, which saw a renewed focus on outreach to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities.

"The BJP has failed to connect with OBCs, and the Bihar elections will expose this disconnect ahead of the 2027 UP polls," Jaihind said. "Unless OBCs have a role in administration, they will continue to be left behind. The hunger for participation is real."