Come out with reservation blueprint, distribution plan: Rajnath to Cong

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday challenged the Congress to come up with a concrete plan for distributing reservation benefits among the numerous castes and sub-castes in the country. Speaking at a rally in Jharkhand’s Mahagama, he criticised the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi for their promise to conduct a "caste census," accusing them of using the issue as a ploy to manipulate voters for political gain. "In 2011, a socio-economic caste census was conducted, which revealed the presence of around 46 lakh castes, sub-castes, and gotras. According to the Ministry of Social Welfare, there are about 1,200 Scheduled Castes (SC), over 750 Scheduled Tribes (ST), and around 2,500 Other Backward Classes (OBCs). How will Congress manage the distribution of reservation quotas among all these groups?" Singh asked. Singh also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying, "He should answer how many castes reside in India. Politics should be about serving the people, not just forming a government."

Mahagama, Jharkhand: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "The INDI alliance includes Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and also the Rashtriya Janata Dal, led by Lalu Yadav. Congress is facing corruption allegations, RJD is accused in the fodder scam, and as for Jharkhand… pic.twitter.com/piDop1XPUo

— IANS (@ians_india) November 15, 2024

He accused Congress of engaging in opportunistic politics, claiming that the party has historically ruined alliances with regional partners such as RJD in Bihar, JKNC in Jammu & Kashmir, and now it is the turn of DMK in Tamil Nadu. "Congress uses these alliances to attain power, but ultimately it harms its partners," he said. Singh alleged that the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD coalition in Jharkhand had engaged in widespread corruption, even going as far as taking bribes for issuing death certificates. He contrasted this with the BJP's record in the state, stating, "So far, 13 Chief Ministers have governed Jharkhand, but none of the three BJP CMs ever faced corruption charges or went to jail."

In Deoghar, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reacts to Congress Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir's statement says, "He said that if the Congress government is formed, they will provide gas cylinders to infiltrators at ₹450. What does this statement imply? This indicates two things: Number one, there are infiltrators, and number two, to secure the votes of these infiltrators, they are offering gas cylinders at ₹450. Till now, no Congress leader, nor any leader from the JMM has denied this statement" 

Deoghar, Jharkhand: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reacts to Congress Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir's statement says, "He said that if the Congress government is formed, they will provide gas cylinders to infiltrators at ₹450. What does this statement imply? This… pic.twitter.com/mdZgnm7BoL

— IANS (@ians_india) November 15, 2024

Chouhan wanted to know from Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Kharge Ji. Will Sonia Ji agree with her leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir's statement that infiltrators will be given gas cylinders for Rs450? Till now, no one has denied this. Is it Congress's agenda to protect and nurture illegal infiltrators?."