Congress leader Raju says

The differences in the implementation of caste surveys by the Karnataka government reflect a large gap in the party’s problems.

Both the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and former Party Chief Rahul Gandhi, defending the nationwide caste-based audit, fighting to remove the 50% retention limit and redistribute quotas to different social groups.

However, there are leaders in the party who are cautious. While some believe Congress needs to express its messaging in a way that focuses more on aspirations than on social backgrounds, others warn against alienating the forward caste.

This gap can also be seen in how the two congressional states respond to the caste survey results. Telangana, which conducted a caste survey, removed a 50% ceiling and announced a 42% quota for other backward classes (OBCs) working in educational institutions and state governments. By contrast, discussions in Karnataka Cabinet are still inconclusive.

“When bookings are debated in the Constitutional Assembly, even then, it’s not a smooth sailing,” said CWC permanent inviter K. Raju. He added: “But that’s where the leadership and will of a political party come into play.”

Karnataka caste census report: OBC reservation proposes 32% to 51%

IAS official-turned politician Mr Raju, the congressional department coordinator for the pre-determined caste (SC), periodic tribe (STS), OBC and ethnic minorities, pointed out how Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru dealt with land reform.

He said: “Zamindari and land reform were abolished in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In some cases, even the courts have made adverse rulings. This is the first amendment to Nehru Ji continues to carry out the Constitution and puts the first amendment to land reform under the ninth schedule, which is beyond the judicial review of judicial review.”

Congress leader, who is also responsible for the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) in Jharkhand, claims that certain social groups have created a narrative that “if a caste census is conducted, they will lose their jobs for the country’s resources, education and work”.

“Fear is actually about eliminating the veil of currencies that hide assets and opportunities,” he said. Mr Raju believes that over time, it is possible to negotiate an increase in quotas for Dalits, adivasis and OBC.

“Grand groups must understand that the preservation is intended to correct the historical injustice faced by these communities and should respond with a spacious attitude,” he said. He stressed that the higher quotas for marginalized groups “will benefit everyone ultimately.”

“When Dalits, Adivas, OBC and other marginalized groups are educated to find employment and improve their lives, their purchasing power goes up. This in turn promotes the economy.”

Congressional leaders “made strong reasons to cancel the 50% cap on bookings, believing that such a move would also benefit the economically weaker segment (EWS) category,” currently with 10% of bookings.

“For example, in Bihar, the poor population in the high-growers population is about 7.5%, but a quota of 10% can be obtained,” he said.