Maharashtra Assembly elections: Jairam Ramesh lashes out BJP on water crisis, caste census

Jairam Ramesh criticizes PM Modi's silence on caste census, reservations, railway neglect, and water scarcity in Marathwada.

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh on Saturday (November 9, 2024) said that the Congress government in Telangana is starting its door-to-door caste survey today, spanning over 1.17 crore households. 

“Meanwhile, the non-biological PM will be in Vidarbha — which has played such a central role in the struggle for social justice in the country — and will likely be entirely silent on the pressing issue of a caste census and the raising of the cap of 50% on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs. Why is the non-biological PM so silent? What is he afraid of?” Mr. Ramesh said in a press statement.

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Jairam Ramesh has charged four questions for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is holding rallies in Nanded and Akola, in Maharashtra, today (November 9, 2024).

“Where does the BJP stand on the issue of a caste census and raising the cap of 50% on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs imposed by the Supreme Court? Will the PM deliver on his promise to put BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan in jail?” added Mr. Ramesh.

“Campaigning in Nanded on March 30, 2014, Mr. Modi had announced that he would send Ashok Chavan to jail “within six months” if he became PM. Ten years later, Ashok Chavan has joined the BJP and been rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat. His daughter is now the BJP’s contestant from Bhokar Assembly seat. Will this prove to be a promise delayed but not denied — or has the BJP Washing Machine cleared Mr. Chavan of any alleged wrongdoing?” he continued. Mr. Ramesh criticised the PM on Indian Railways performance.