OPPOSITION’S DEMAND
After the Bihar government rolled out a state-wide caste census, the opposition parties following the same lines are demanding a caste census in a bid to woo voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav is now preparing a political ground in Uttar Pradesh in this regard. He is focusing with full intensity and power on the issue of the caste census. Akhilesh claimed that the BJP is anti-Dalits and backward classes, and that it is afraid of conducting a caste census. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress and the SP have demanded a caste census from the government in a bid to woo voters from other backward classes (OBC). They are holding meetings to put the caste census on the agenda as an important matter. Meanwhile, the YSR Congress demanded a nationwide caste-based economic census at an allparty meeting convened by the Center. The ruling party in Andhra Pradesh has joined the likes of the JD (U) and the RJD, both of which have demanded a caste census. Parties including the TRS, TMC, and the BJD also supported the demand. POLITICAL DIFFERENCE The differences between Upendra Kushwaha and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have been widening day by day after Nitish categorically ruled out the possibility of appointing another deputy other than Tejashwi Yadav. Nitish has suspicions that Kushwaha, a key aide who has of late fallen out of favour with him, could be hobnobbing with the BJP. Now JD-U has asked its disgruntled national parliamentary board chairman, Upendra Kushwaha, to resign from the party if even an iota of political morality is left with him. However, Kushwaha hit back with a strongly worded response, saying that he could not leave the party without his share in the paternal property. BHARAT JODO YATRA ENDS Despite heavy snowfall, many leaders of several national and regional parties joined Congress leaders to mark the culmination of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. The rally, which was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, was joined and marked by the presence of Mallikarjun Karge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other leaders from the DMK, JMM, BSP, NC, PDP, CPI, RSP, VCK, and IUML. From Kanyakumari to Srinagar, the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, covered 4,000 kilometres and visited 12 states and two union territories between 7 September and 29 January in Jammu and Kashmir. During the course of the yatra, Rahul addressed 12 public meetings, over 100 corner meetings, and 14 press conferences.