Caste census a vote ploy for Oppn: Shah

BJP manifesto for C'garh promises assistance to paddy farmers, landless labourers, married women

- Ritesh Mishra

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not opposed to a caste census but contesting polls using this plank is not correct, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday, articulating his party's stand on a major electoral issue in the five-state assembly polls this month.

While launching the BJP's manifesto in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Shah decried attempts by Opposition parties to politicise the issue, a reference to the Congress that has promised to hold caste-based surveys in four mainland poll-bound states if it comes to power.

He also announced, as part of the BJP's poll manifesto, a slew of promises aimed at farmers and women, two key demographics that can shape the assembly elections. This included an annual assistance of ₹12,000 to married women and ₹10,000 to landless farm labourers, procuring 21 quintals of paddy per acre at ₹3,100 and providing LPG cylinders for ₹500.

"We don't seek vote on this issue [caste census] since we are a national political party. We will discuss with everyone and whatever will be appropriate we will declare, but to fight elections on this issue is not correct...," he said. "The BJP never opposed it [caste census] but decisions have to be taken after proper thought and we will tell at appropriate time," he added.

His comments mark the strongest response by the BJP to the Opposition's demand for a caste census since Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that poor were the biggest caste for him, and accused the Opposition of dividing society.