Suvendu Adhikari Challenges Mamata Government's New OBC Survey
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Synopsis
On March 26, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, criticized the state's new OBC survey, claiming it lists 'fictitious' communities. He argues this is an attempt to mislead and divert resources from Hindu OBCs, and the survey mirrors the flawed methodology that led to previous certificate annulments.
Key Takeaways
- Suvendu Adhikari questions new OBC survey.
- Claims inclusion of 'fictitious' communities.
- Survey follows promise made to Supreme Court.
- Criticism of the government's methodology.
- Evidence presented from Nandigram.
Kolkata, March 26 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Wednesday raised concerns regarding the new survey being conducted by the state government to identify the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He alleged that the communities listed are 'completely make-believe, fictitious, and imaginary'.
The state government initiated this fresh survey following its commitment to the Supreme Court on March 18. During a case hearing, the state challenged a previous order from the Calcutta High Court that annulled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal since 2010. The government assured the apex court that the process of a new survey would be completed within three months.
However, the LoP issued a statement on Wednesday morning, asserting that the new survey is being conducted in a manner similar to the grounds on which the Calcutta High Court had previously nullified all OBC certificates issued in the state since 2010.
According to him, while the apex court requested the state government to clarify how it identified the 77 communities in the state's OBC reservation list, the state is currently conducting a new survey aimed at diverting resources from the Hindu OBCs, without any scientific basis, by fabricating communities that lack social significance and existence.
“This is a blatant attempt at appeasement masquerading as welfare. The TMC government is unethically attempting to justify its flawed issuance of OBC certificates en masse to its voter base by conducting another erroneous and misleading survey,” the LoP stated.
To support his claims, he included forms from the new survey in the Nandigram Assembly constituency in the East Midnapore district, where he himself is the elected representative.
He asserted that the survey forms included some “community names” that “have never been recognized as existing communities and are entirely make-believe, fictitious, and imaginary”.
As of the time this report was filed, there was no response from any representatives of the state government or the Trinamool Congress.
