Nitish Kumar praised Tejashwi Yadav, BJP got nervous

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav are united on the issue of caste census at the national level. This was enough to upset the ruling Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJP), but Kumar on Monday (August 23, 2021) added to BJP’s nervousness by praising Lalu Prasad’s younger brother.

According to the CM, it was the RJD leader who floated the idea of ​​an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the demand. Tejashwi immediately took Nitish’s suggestion and thanked him. Nitish’s praise of the former deputy CM has left the BJP restless as some party leaders in the state are already looking at the JD(U)’s moves with suspicion. Party leaders said they are closely watching Kumar’s vision for efforts by regional parties to come together against the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections.
In fact, taking forward its campaign in support of caste-based census, a delegation of 10 state parties led by Kumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. After the meeting, the Bihar CM said that all the parties spoke in one voice on the need for caste based census. Emphasizing that the various caste data would help in making effective development plans as many of them have not yet received the benefits commensurate with their actual population.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s reply on the matter, Kumar said Modi “did not reject” it (caste-based census) and listened to everyone. Yadav, who was in the delegation, said that such a census is in the national interest. He said that this would be a historic step and would help the poor and most deprived sections of the society. If animals and trees can be counted then people can also be counted.

BJP leader Janak Ram, who was part of the delegation, said Modi listened to everyone’s opinion like a “guardian of a family”. He said everyone is “satisfied” and the Prime Minister’s decision will be acceptable to all. The census is the prerogative of the center and hence the Center will decide on this demand made by several parties. Most of the parties making this demand include those parties which mainly have the support of Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Asked about the Prime Minister’s reply on the matter, Kumar said Modi “did not reject” it (caste-based census) and listened to everyone. Yadav, who was in the delegation, said that such a census is in the national interest. He said that this would be a historic step and would help the poor and most deprived sections of the society. If animals and trees can be counted then people can also be counted.

BJP leader Janak Ram, who was part of the delegation, said Modi listened to everyone’s opinion like a “guardian of a family”. He said everyone is “satisfied” and the Prime Minister’s decision will be acceptable to all. The census is the prerogative of the center and hence the Center will decide on this demand made by several parties. Most of the parties making this demand include those parties which mainly have the support of Other Backward Classes (OBC).