Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of “shedding crocodile tears” over the caste census and using misleading slogans to confuse the public. Singh claimed that while Gandhi now emphasizes the need for a caste census, he failed to support such initiatives earlier.
“Rahul Gandhi is suddenly very concerned about the caste census. When Nitish Kumar conducted it in Bihar while we were in the INDIA alliance, we suggested passing a resolution supporting it. However, he did not do so due to pressure from Mamata Banerjee. Today, he sheds crocodile tears. Has he ever praised the census conducted in Bihar? He is only giving slogans to confuse the public,” said Singh.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier reiterated the INDIA alliance’s call for a caste census, stating that 90 percent of the population is being excluded from opportunities despite having the required skills and talent. “That’s why we are demanding a caste census,” he said.
In addition to his remarks on the caste census, Lalan Singh praised the Modi government’s recently approved Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), set to take effect on April 1, 2025. The scheme increases the government’s contribution from 14 percent under the current National Pension System (NPS) to 18.5 percent under UPS. Singh urged Congress-ruled states to replicate this model in their regions.
The caste census and pension scheme debates have become key talking points as political parties prepare for the upcoming elections.