KOLAR: Attempting to turn the tables on BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of alleged disrespect to Other Backward Classes (OBC), disqualified Wayanad MP and AICC member Rahul Gandhi on Sunday questioned the Centre on why there is such a low percentage of bureaucrats from OBC, Dalit and Adivasi communities serving in Government of India posts.
Criticised for allegedly castigating OBCs at an election rally in Kolar in 2019, Rahul returned to the same venue to address another rally and attack the Centre. He said if the Modi government had any concern for the welfare of SCs and STs, it would remove the upper cap of 50% reservation.
“If they do not do this, then it means you (Centre) are disrespecting OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis,” he said at the rally.
He went on to say, “Let the PM make the 2011 caste census, conducted by the UPA government, public. Let the people know the population of OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis vis-a-vis the number of people from these communities serving as secretaries in the Government of India. As on date, only seven per cent of bureaucrats in the post of secretaries, the spine of our central government, are from these communities.”
Rahul alleged that the saffron party MPs, including cabinet ministers, obstructed his speech in Parliament when he tried to question the relationship between PM Modi and Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group of companies.
“They (BJP) think they can cower me down by disqualifying me,” he said. “I say, you can disqualify me and jail me, but I will continue to question whose money the Rs 20,000 crore that is parked in shell companies of Adani Group is and what is the nature of relationship between the PM and Adani.”
Rahul said PM Modi has made many trips to Karnataka but has not spoken a single word on the 40% commission allegations the BJP government in the state is facing.
“The Karnataka contractors’ association wrote to the PM, claiming they must pay 40% commission to BJP ministers and government officials to land tenders. I am not saying this, but the contractors’ association is saying it. But the PM has, to date, not spoken a word on it. This effectively means the PM has accepted the allegations.”
Earlier, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Modi government was only polishing the same “dabbas” created by Congress.
Criticised for allegedly castigating OBCs at an election rally in Kolar in 2019, Rahul returned to the same venue to address another rally and attack the Centre. He said if the Modi government had any concern for the welfare of SCs and STs, it would remove the upper cap of 50% reservation.
“If they do not do this, then it means you (Centre) are disrespecting OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis,” he said at the rally.
He went on to say, “Let the PM make the 2011 caste census, conducted by the UPA government, public. Let the people know the population of OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis vis-a-vis the number of people from these communities serving as secretaries in the Government of India. As on date, only seven per cent of bureaucrats in the post of secretaries, the spine of our central government, are from these communities.”
Rahul alleged that the saffron party MPs, including cabinet ministers, obstructed his speech in Parliament when he tried to question the relationship between PM Modi and Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group of companies.
“They (BJP) think they can cower me down by disqualifying me,” he said. “I say, you can disqualify me and jail me, but I will continue to question whose money the Rs 20,000 crore that is parked in shell companies of Adani Group is and what is the nature of relationship between the PM and Adani.”
Rahul said PM Modi has made many trips to Karnataka but has not spoken a single word on the 40% commission allegations the BJP government in the state is facing.
“The Karnataka contractors’ association wrote to the PM, claiming they must pay 40% commission to BJP ministers and government officials to land tenders. I am not saying this, but the contractors’ association is saying it. But the PM has, to date, not spoken a word on it. This effectively means the PM has accepted the allegations.”
Earlier, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Modi government was only polishing the same “dabbas” created by Congress.
