Is it a victory for our party, Rahul Gandhi?

New Delhi, April 30 (NationPress) In light of the Centre's recent decision to incorporate caste-based enumeration in the forthcoming national Census, prominent Congress figures have celebrated this as a significant accomplishment for the party and a personal success for the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

Key leaders such as Udit Raj, Vijay Wadettiwar, and T.S. Singh Deo expressed their approval, claiming that this decision validates the Congress' enduring demand.

In a statement to IANS, Congress leader Udit Raj remarked, “This is a triumph for the Congress and a moment of accountability for the Modi administration, which was forced to respond. The entire Bahujan Samaj is thankful to Rahul Gandhi. Our administrations in Telangana and Karnataka have already initiated caste-based data gathering.

“Just as a diagnosis reveals the root of an individual's ailment, the caste census will pinpoint the degree of backwardness across various communities and assist in formulating policies for their upliftment. Nothing benefits the national interest more than this. The decision is a positive step, and undoubtedly, the credit belongs to LoP Rahul Gandhi.

Vijay Wadettiwar, another senior Congress figure, stated, “We welcome this move. The Congress has consistently advocated for a caste census, and Rahul Gandhi has persistently championed this cause. The OBC community deserves its rightful share—whether it pertains to reservations, budget allocations, or representation.

“While our administration had completed the socio-economic and caste census in 2011 under former Prime Minister late Manmohan Singh, implementation faced delays. Now that the BJP government has consented to it, we urge them to go beyond mere enumeration—they must act on the results.”

He also issued a warning, stating, “This should not be a mere electoral strategy, particularly with the Bihar elections on the horizon. The caste census must lead to tangible policy outcomes based on demographic representation—not simply function as an electoral tactic. If the intent is sincere, we wholeheartedly welcome the decision. However, if it is politically motivated, it would reflect negatively on the BJP.”

Congress leader T.S. Singh Deo also expressed gratitude, calling this move a reflection of an efficient Opposition.

“It is gratifying to witness Rahul Gandhi’s efforts yield results. Even while out of power, this exemplifies what a responsible Opposition can accomplish in a democracy. It shows how a principled position can compel even a reluctant government to act,” he stated.

When discussing potential political motivations behind the decision, Singh Deo added, “It’s certainly a possibility. Nitish Kumar had initiated the caste census in Bihar, and now he’s allied with the BJP. Timing holds significance in politics. If the Centre had overlooked this matter, it could have resulted in negative electoral repercussions. Nevertheless, the decision itself is crucial and necessary.”