Congress CWC Underway In Delhi, Caste Census, Strategy For Elections In 5 States Likely On Agenda

Elections 2023: The Congress party's CWC meeting has begun in Delhi and is likely to discuss strategies for elections in five states and the prospect of caste census in the country.

Assembly Elections 2023: A meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is underway in Delhi to chalk out the strategy for upcoming assembly elections in five states. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, chief ministers of all the Congress-ruled states and other top party leaders are attending the crucial huddle on a day when the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be announcing the dates of polling for polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.

Apart from a possible discussion on candidates and strategies, the key Congress meet is likely to hold extensive talks on a plan for the nationwide caste census and its implications, reported news agency PTI. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been pushing for the caste census in the country alleging that PM Narendra Modi-led government is against the people of 'backward castes'. Rajasthan government on Saturday announced to conduct a caste census on the lines of Bihar. Congress general secretary, during a rally in Chhattisgarh, announced that her party will conduct a caste census in the state if it comes to power again. Congress-ruled Karnataka has already announced the census and is likely to come out with its results later this year.

Amid these announcements, it is likely that the grand old party would focus its discussion keeping in mind the 2024 Lok Sabha election and a demand by the I.N.D.I.A parties for a caste census. Bihar government released the report of its caste survey on October 2 and since then, many parties have voiced support in favour of conducting the same across states.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had also raised concerns recently over Rahul Gandhi's "jitni abaadi, utna haq" (rights proportionate to population) slogan, arguing that it amounts to an endorsement of majoritarianism. However, as per PTI, Singhvi quickly deleted his post on X after the Congress distanced itself from his remarks.

Now, concerns remain among a section of the party as to the articulation of the politically sensitive call for the caste census, the agency said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently accused the opposition party of attempting to divide Hindus through its push for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The ruling BJP has said the party has never been in favour of a caste census with late PM Rajiv Gandhi opposing the Mandal Commission in Parliament.

 

With Eye On Elections In 5 States, CWC Meet To Prepare Plan

The EC will announce the voting dates for elections in five states on Monday beginning the countdown of the the much-awaited election battle. The Congress is seeking to retain its governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and eyeing to take back MP from the BJP. It hopes to wrest Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana and Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram as well.

The opposition has been facing a hard time with the recent arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh in the Delhi liquor policy case which has been widely condemned by the members of I.N.D.I.A parties. Congress condemned Singh's arrest but also pointed to similar action against its leaders in Punjab by the AAP government there, including arrest of its farmers' wing head Sukhpal Khaira in a drugs-related case.

The CWC meet was held in Hyderabad on September 16. The top decision-making body of Congress has 39 regular members, 32 permanent invitees and 13 special invitees, including 15 women and several new faces.