Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, is making substantial pledges in his campaign for the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election. He passionately vowed to conduct a caste census, aiming to shed light on the circumstances of OBCs, Dalits, and tribals in India. Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of this initiative, referring to it as an “X-ray of the country.”
Gandhi’s Commitment to Land Rights and Economic Benefits in Madhya Pradesh
Furthermore, Gandhi assured that, if Congress regains power in Madhya Pradesh, tribals will be granted rights over forest lands. He also committed to a significant hike in the price of tendu leaves, offering Rs 4,000 per bag. Notably, Madhya Pradesh has 47 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes, with tribal influence extending over more than 89 seats out of the total 230 assembly seats.
Rahul Gandhi’s Call to Assess OBCs, Dalits, and Tribals
Rahul Gandhi’s statements come in the wake of his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the data of the caste census conducted by Congress. While addressing a gathering in Beohari, Shahdol district, Gandhi stressed that this census is crucial to assess the conditions of tribals, Dalits, and OBCs in the country, ultimately offering a comprehensive perspective. Gandhi’s campaign focuses on tribal development and their rights, addressing their grievances and concerns.
Rahul Gandhi’s Pledges
In response to Gandhi’s campaign promises, the ruling BJP accused him of attempting to divide the tribal population, aligning with the British colonial strategy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan countered Gandhi’s claims by asserting that he is merely fabricating information. Chouhan highlighted the success of the BJP government’s welfare programs and developmental work, emphasizing the overall satisfaction among various sections of society in the state. He further criticized the Congress government for discontinuing the food grant to tribal women of Baiga, Bharia, and Sahariya tribes during their 15-month rule and for making false promises of unemployment allowances. Chouhan called for Gandhi to apologize for these inaccuracies.
